that she would have no Supper of such Viands again and that she resolved to live in such a manner that he should not be the Butcher of her second Husband for she could hardly be induced to believe that he would pardon another having shewed himself so mercilesse to him whom he loved best in the world And although she was but weak and unable to revenge her own Cause yet her Hope was in HIM who is the true Judge and who will suffer no Sin to passe unpunished to whose only love she would devote her self during her life in that Hermitage which she did accordingly for she never departed thence until the day of her Death untill her Soul departed from her Body living with such patience and austerity that after her Death every one did run thither as to the Seat of a Saint and so great a Ruine did fall upon her Brothers House that of six Sons which he had not one remained alive but all of them dyed most miserably and in the end the Inheritance was devolved as you heard in my other Account upon his Daughter Rolâ—ndine who succeeded in the Prison which was made for her Aunt Ladies I pray to God that this Example may be prefitable to you that none of you may have a desire to marry for your own pleasure without the consent of those â—o whom you do ow obedience for Marriage is an Estate of so long a Continuance that it ought not lightly to be undertaken nor without the Consent of our best Friends and Kinred And it cannot at the best be so well managed but it will undoubtedly bring with iâ— as much pain as pleasure In good faith said Oysilla if there were neither God nor Law to teach fools to be wise this Example is sufficient enough to instruct them to bear more reverence to their Parents and Kinred than to marry at their own pleasure Madam It is so said Nomerfide that she who hath one good day in a year is not unfortunate throughout all her life She had a long time the pleasure to see and to discourse with him whom she loved better than she loved her self and after that she had the delight of the Marriage-bed without any trouble or remorse of Conscience And I esteem that Contentment to be so great that it seems to me it doth exceed the sorrow it brought with it You will say then said Saffredant that Women do receive more pleasures to ly with their Husbands than they do receive grief to to see them killed before their eyes That is not my in tention said Nomerfide for I should then speak against the Experience which I have of married Women but I conceive that so great and extraordinary a pleasure as to marry that man whom we love best in the world is more greatly to be esteemed than to lose him by death which is a common calamity So it is said Guebron if it were by a natural death but this here spoken of was too cruel for it is very strange to me seeing this Signior was neither her Father nor her Husband but her Brother only and moreover that she was of full age and that the Laws doe permit the Daughters to marry whom they please how he durst execute such a cruelty I do find it not strange at all said Hircan for he killed not his Sister whom so perfectly he did love but the young Gentleman whom he cherished and brought up as his own Son and loved as his own Brother and having preferred him and inriched him in his Service the Gentleman ought to have been content and not to have sought his Sister in marriage which nothing at all did pertain unto him The Honour and pleasure said Nomerfide is not usual for a Gentleman who is but a Servant to marry a Lady of so great a Family And if the death be strange the pleasure must be new also and so much the greater that it hath the opinion of all wise men to affirm it and the contentment of a heart full of love to aid it and the repose of the Soul to attend it which is a quiet Conscience seeing God is not offended with it And as for that death which you say was cruel it seems to me that it being inevitable the speediest death is the best for we all know that of necessity we must passe through Nature to eternity And I esteem them most happy who stay not any long time in the Suburbs and from the felicity which only in this world can be so called do in an instaet fly unto that which is eternal What do you call the Suburbs of death said Simontault Those said Nomerfide who have had many tribulations in Spirit those who have been a long time sick those who by the extremity of corporal or Spiritual griefs are come so far as to despise death and to complain that their last hour comes too slowly These are they who have already passed through the Suburbs of Death and have lodged in those Inns in which there is more noise than rest It was impossible but that this Lady must lose her Husband by death but in losing him by the choler of her Brother being exempted from seeing him sick or bedrid and exchanging the joy she had to be with him into the love and the service of God she might well call her self happy Do you make no reckoning said Longaren of the disgrace which she received and of her tedious imprisonment I do believe said Nomerfide that a Man or Woman who absolutely doe love according to the Commandment of God do know neither shame nor dishonour but when they alter or diminish from the perfection of their love for the glory to love truly doth not know nor is it capable of disgrace And as for the imprisonment of the Body I do believe this Lady had such an inlargement of her Soul which was united to God and to her Husband that she was hardly sensible where she was but esteemed her solitude to be the greatest liberty for they who cannot behold that which they love have no other happinesse but incessantly to think upon iâ— And that confinement is never streight where the Soul is free and the thoughts can exercise themselves at their own preasure There is nothing more true said Simontault than that which Nomerfide doth declare but he who by his fury made that separation may truly be called guilty and unhappy for he at one and the same time offended both God and Love and Honour In good earnest said Guebron I do much wonder at the different loves of women and do well observe that those who have the most love have the most virtue and that those who have the least do indeavour by dissimulation to counterfeit themselves to be virtuous It is true said Parlament that a Heart honest to God and Men doth love more sincerely than that which is vicious for it feareth not that we may sound the depth of its intention I have
any other and was so intimate with her that she concealed not from her her most private thoughts and declared to her all tho love which she did bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate and she who did hope to gain him intirely did speak of him incessantly and on any Discourse where mention was made of him she would with delight take hold of it and a long time entertain it Amadour after his Marriage with Avanturade stayed not above one moneth with this Company but was constrained to return to the War where he continued above two years without seeing of his Wife who kept alwayes with her with whom she was brought up During this time Amadour did often write unto her but the greatest part of his Letter was Commendations to Florinda Avanturade did not fail to show the Letters to Florinda who returned him thanks for it and sometimes with her own hand would signifie as much unto him in the Letters which Avanturade answered which was the occasion that made her Husband more carefull to write more often unto her But in all this Florinda knew nothing but only that she loved and respected him as her own Brother This was the Intercourse of Letters betwixt Amadour and Avanturade and Amadour who in the space of five years had hardly seen Florinda two whole moneths yet neverthelesse his Love in despite of absence did continually encrease But now the time was come that he made a voyage to see his Wife and found the Countesse of Arand a great way from the Court. For the King of Spain was gone to Vandelusia and had taken with him the young Count of Arand who already did begin to bear arms His Mother the Countesse was retired to a House of pleasure which she had upon the Frontires of Arragon and Navarre she was very joyfull to see Amadour returned who almost for three years together had been absent He was very welcom to them all and the Countesse of Arand commanded that he should be entertained as her own Son As long as he was with her she declared to him the whole state of her affairs and committed the greatest part of the Government of her House to his discretion He gained so great an estimation that in all places thereof wheresoever he came they opened the doors unto him believing him to be so able and so wise a personage that in all things they did put their confidence in him as if in some Saint or Angel Florinda for the love which she did bear to his Wife and to himself did give great respect unto him in all the places wheresoever she did see him not knowing any thing of his Intention wherefore she minded not what countenance she gave him for her heart felt not any heat of a violent passion but onely she received a great contentment when she was near Amadour and no other thought of love possessed her Amadour to avoid the Judgement of those who are experienced in the looks of Lovers in comparison of others was in a great perplexity For when Florinda came familiarly to speak unto him as one who thought no hurt the fire concealed in his heart did so violently inflame it that do what he could his colour would rise in his checks and the sparkles of Desire would fly from his eyes And to the end that in their daily conversation it might not be discerned he pretended to court a very fair Lady called Paulina a Lady who in her time was esteemed so beautifull that few men that ever saw her did escape her bonds This Paulina understanding how well Amadour had deported himself at Barcelona and Perpignan insomuch that he was beloved by all the most beautifull and virtuons Ladies of that Country and above all by the Countesse of Palamons who in beauty was esteemed the chiefest in all Spain told him That she much pityed him that after so many great fortunes he had married so ill-favoured a woman Amadour apprehending by those words that she had a desire to remedy her own necessity did entertain her with the best Language that possibly he could thinking by making her to beleeve a pretence that she should serve to be a coverture for the truth but she being cunning and experienced in love was not contented with words but conceiving to her self that his heart was not satisfyed with her Love she doubted lest he did not make her serve for a cloak only whereupon she did so closely observe him that her eyes were always fastened upon his but he did so well dissemble it that she could not make any certain judgment of any thing but only had an obscure suspition which was a great torment to this Gentleman But Florinda who was ignorant of all those Jealousies did speak oftentimes before Paulina so familiarly to Amadour that he put himself to an extraordinary task to command his eys against his heart And to prevent the falling into an Inconvenience speaking one day to Florinda and leaning both upon the Window he said unto her Madam I beseech you that you will be pleased to advise me which is the best to speak or to die Florinda readily made answer to him I shall alwayes advise my friends that it is best to speak and not die for a few words may be mended but life being lost can never be recovered You shall promise me then said Amadour that you shall neither be offended nor be astonished at the words I shall speak untill you shall understand the end for which I speak them She replyed to him Speak what you please for if you shall astonish me no man else shall recover me to my senses I assure you He then began to speak Madam I have not yet expressed unto you the great affection which I bear you for two Reasons First That I intended by my long service to give you an experience of it and Secondly because I doubted you would conceive it to be an unpardonable arrogance to addresse my self unto you who were I a Prince as your self yet the loyalty of your heart would not suffer any other but he who hath taken possession of it the Son of the Infant Fortunate to hold any discourse of Love with you But Madam as in great wars Necessity doth constrain us to make a wast of our own goods and oftentimes to spoil the Corn in the blade that the Enemy may make no advantage of it so have I made an adventure to hazard the fruit which in time I did hope to gather that neither your nor my Enemies might make to themselves any profit by our Damage Understand Madam that since you were scarce twelve years of age I have been so devoted to your service that I have never ceased from searching out the means to obtain your favour and for that occasion I married her whom I thought that you loved best And understanding the love which you bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate I have endeavoured to serve and honour him as you
her self to satisfy her love and to love him with all her heart but withall to be no wayes forgetfull of her honour In the morning Amadour departed sick and sad as I have told you neverthelesse his heart which was so great that the World could not shew an equal to it did not suffer him to despair but did give him a new intention to enjoy the presence of Florinda and again to be entertained in her favour Wherefore repairing to the King of Spain who was at Toledo he made it his way to go by the Countesse of Arands to whom he came one Evening very late and found the Countesse very sick by reason of the sorrow which she had for the absence of her Daughter Florinda When she beheld Amadour she kissed and embraced him as if he had been her own Son as well for the love she 〈◊〉 bear unto him as for the Love which she conceived he did bear unto Florinda concerning whom she very sollicitously did demand He informed her the best that possibly he could but did not acquaint her with all the Truth and confessed unto her the love betwixt Florinda and himself which Florinda had always concealed desiring her that he might hear from her as often as she could and that she would be pleased to send for her for the more speedy recovery of her own health In the morning he departed and having dispatched his affairs with the Queen he advanced to the Wars but so sad and so changed in his complexion that the Ladies Captains and all those who had been accustomed to his Company did not know him He was altogether cloathed in black and by the outward mourning which he made for his wife he concealed the inward mourning of his heart In this manner Amadour lived three or four years without returning to the Court. And the Countesse of Arand hearing it spoken that Florinda was so extremely altered that it would grieve any one to behold her did send for her hoping that she would be joyfull to come to her but it fell out to the contrary for when Florinda understood that Amadour had declared to her Mother the love that was betwixt them she was in a wonderfull perplexity for on the one side she saw her Mother did esteem so highly of him that if she should acquaint her with the truth Amadour would receive some great displeasure which she would rather die than be the occusion of for she thought her self able enough to punish him for his follies without any assistance of her friends On the other side she feared That in dissembling the evil which she knew she should be constrained by her Mother and by her friends to continue her Discourses and to make much of him by which she was afraid that she should fortifie him in his Presumptions But seeing that he was far remote she made an apparence of being willing to it and sometimes did write unto Amadour when the Countesse did command her but they were such Letters that it was easie to be perceived that they did proceed rather from obedience to her Mother than good will to him Wherefore Amadour was as much grieved at the reading of them as he was accustomed to rejoice at those Letters which heretofore were sent him At the end of two or three years after so many admirable atchievments in the Wars that all the Paper in Spain was not able to contain them he entertained a strange invention not to gain the heart of Florinda for he held that for lost but to obtain another victory over her He did cast behind him all the Counsel of Reason and fear of Death it self to the danger whereof he did so manifestly expose himself The Debate being discussed and concluded he prevailed so much upon the Governour that he was deputed by him to go unto the King concerning some enterprize to be made upon Locat which he adventured to communicate to the Countesse of Arand before he declared it to the King to take her counsel therein he came in Post into the County of Arand where he knew that then Florinda was and sent privately a friend of his to the Countesse of Arand to acquaint her with his comming beseeching her That she would be pleased to keep it secret and that at night he would have some conference with her without the knowledge of any one besides The Countesse being very joyfull of his comming acquainted Florinda with it and sent to her to prepare her self in the Chamber of her Husband to the end that she might be ready when she should send for her and when every one else were withdrawn Florinda who yet was not delivered from her first fear made an apparence to her Mother to do as she commanded but betook her self to her Devotions and did commend her self to God beseeching him to preserve her heart from all inordinate affections and considering with her self that Amadour had often praised her beauty which was not much diminished although she had been a long time sick she determined that it was better to commit an injury upon her beauty than by her means to suffer that the heart of so brave a Man should burn in so loose a fire Wherefore she took a great stone which she found in the Chapel and gave her self so great a blow on the face that her mouth her nose and her eyes were all hurt and bruized with it And because it might not be suspected that she her self had done it when the Countesse her Mother sent for her she fell down at the door of the Chapel upon a great stone and crying out aloud the Countesse came her self to her relief and found her in that pitifull estate Her face was immediately dressed which being done the Countesse did bring her into her own Chamber and did intreat her to repair into her Cabinet to entertain Amadour until such time as she could get cleer of the Company that was with her which accordingly she did thinking that there were some of his servants with him but finding her self all alone and the Doâ—e shut upon her she became as sorrowfull as Amadour was content thinking that either by love or by force he should now enjoy that which he had much desired Having entertained her with a short Discourse and found her in the same mind as he left her and that she had rather die than change her opinion he said unto her Madam I vow unto you the fruit of my labour shall not be taken from me for a scruple and since that Love Patience and humble Prayers can nothing prevail upon you I will not spare by force to obtain that which if not had will procure my Death when Florinda saw his face and eyes so much changed and that the best Complexion in the world did grow red as fire and that most sweet and pleasant look did become so horrible and furious that the fire seem'd to sparkle forth from his eyes which burn'd in his heart And when
thought the time long till he had found his wife to give her an account of what he had done who had as great a desire to undertake the voiage as her Husband And eftentimes on this occasion she conferr'd with the Captain who regarding her beauty more than her words became so amorous that speaking to her of the voyages he had made upon the Seas he would tel her of his imbarking at Marseilles upon the Archipelâ—gâ—â— and thinking to speak of a Ship he would tell her a story of a Horse as a Man transported and out of his sense But he found her to be such that he durst not speak to her nor make any Countenance of Love And the concealing of his Love did beget such a fire in his heart that he oftentimes fell sick but the Gentlewoman was as carefull of him as of the Crosse it self circumspect to guide her course howsoever she sent many times to visit him by which he understanding that she had some respect unto him did recover of himself without any Physick at all But divers Gentlemen observing this Captain who had the report to be as gallant and brave a Man as a good Christian did much wonder to see him so often to accost this Gentlewoman and seeing that he had changed the condition of his life and frequented altogether the Churches Sermons and Confessions they suspected it was to obtain the favor of the young Gentlewoman and could not refrain but spoke some words unto him concerning that subject The Captain fearing that it might be brought unto her ear did absent himself from her company in publick and told her Husband and her self That he should suddenly be dispatched at Court and be gone and that he had many things to inform them with but because the Affair should be kept secret he would neither speak with himself nor his Wife in publick but desired them to send for him when they were in private both together The Gentleman approved his Counsel and failed not every night to go to bed betimes and to make his Wife also to put off her cloaths to keep him Company And when their Servants were departed from them they sent for the Captain and consulted on their voyage to Jerusalem and the good old Man in great devotion talking of it would often fall asleep with the word Jerusalem in his mouth The Captain seeing the old Gentleman asleep in his Bed and himself in the Chair and neer unto her whom he thought the most beautiful and most accomplished in the world had his heart so locked up and besieged with fear and a desire to speak that he often lost his speech But to the end that she might not perceive him he imployed himself to talk of the holy places in Jerusalem where still remained the signes of the great love which our Saviour Jesus Christ did bear unto us And in speaking of that Love he covered his own looking on the young Gentlewoman with tears and sighs who perceived nothing at all For observing his demure countenance she conceived him to be a grave and a pious man and desired him to acquaint her what was the course of life which he had lead and how he did arrive to this Love of God He declared unto her that he had been a poor Gentleman who to purchase Riches and Honor had forgot his Conscience and espoused a Wife too near allyed unto him only because she was rich and whom he could not love being both old and ill-favoured But having consumed a great part of her Estate he went to Sea to seek adventures there and had thrived so well by his endeavours that he was become Master of a considerable Fortune But ever since he was so happy to arrive unto the Knowledge of her self she by her Godly discourse and good Examples was the only Cause that he had changed his life And all that he resolved upon if God should return him in safety from his enter prize was to be a Guide to her Husband and to her self unto Jerusalem to satisfie in some part for all his sins to which he had put a period but only one sin which was that as yet he had not given satisfaction to his Wife to whom he hoped to be shortly reconciled This discourse did much please the Gentlewoman but above all she rejoyced that she had drawn such a Man to the love and the fear of God Till the time of his departure from the Court he had with her every evening these long discourses and never offered to declare unto her his Intentions he only presented her with a Crucifix to which was annexed our Lady of Pity and besought her that in his absence looking on that she would call himself into her Memory The hour of his departure being come having taken his leave of her Husband who immediately fell asleep he came to his Wife to give her a Farewell and seeing tears in her eyes for the honest love she did bear unto him it did render his passion so insupportable that not daring to declare it he did fall down in a swoun bidding her Farewell in so great an agony and sorrow that not only his eyes but all his body did sweat down tears And without speaking any more words he departed at which the Gentlewoman was much amazed for she never beheld any such sign of Grief before Neverthelesse she changed not the purpose of her good will towards him and accompanied him with Prayers and Orisons At the end of one moneth as this Gentlewoman one evening returned her to her Lodgings there met her a Gentleman who presented her with a Letter from the Captain desiring her that she would be pleased to read it by her self and told her that he saw him imbarqued and resolved to go thorough with the enterprise for the Honour of the King and the augmentation of the Faith and for himself that he was to return to Marseilles to give order for the affairs of the Captain The Gentlewoman retired to a Window by her self and did read the Letter all along which contained two sides and much marvelled at the affection of the Captain which she never did suspect And observing that he had presented her with a great and fair Diamond the Ring wherein it was set being enameld with black She was in a great perplexity what to do and having troubled her self all that night concerning it she was very glad that she had no occasion to write back unto him or to return him any answer Nor would she fall out with the Messenger thinking with her self that considering the pains he had taken for the service of his Master he had no need to be rewarded with an ill answer but she resolved to deliver it her self unto him upon his return from his enterprize Above all she was much perplexed with the Diamond for she was not accustomed to dresse her self at the expences of any other but her Husband wherefore being of a good understanding
him too late both by his laughter and his voice was strook into an amazement with the shame she had brought upon her self and called him a thousand times wicked Traytor and Impostor and would have thrown her self out of the Bed to look out a knife to have killed her self because she was so unfortunate to have lost her Honour with one whom she loved not and who to be revenged of her might divulge her shame throughout the world But he held her in his arms and by sweet words did assure her That he loved her more than he did whom she loved and that he would conceal that which touched her Honour that she never should receive the least discredit which the poor Lady believed and understanding the Invention which he had contrived to obtain her and the difficulties he went through to accomplish it she did swear unto him That she did love him better than the other who knew not how to conceal a Secret And moreover whereas there was a false report raised on the French she now knew to the contrary and that they were more wise constant and discreet than the Italians wherefore she would now differ from the opinion of her own Nation to comply with them But she did heartily entreat him that for a time he would forbear to appear at any Feast or Meeting where she was unlesse it were a Mask only for she knew well enough that she should have so many blushes upon her cheeks that her Countenance would declare it to all the world This he promised to perform and also entreated her That when his Friend should come about two hours hence that she would make him good cheer and by little and little withdraw her self from him Of which she made a great difficulty but because it was his desire she at last consented to it And taking his Farewel of her he did leave her so satisfied that she could have been well contented to have had him to have stayed longer with her After that he rose and had dressed himself he made hast out of the Chamber and left the door half shut and half open as he found it And because it was almost two a-clock after midnight he entertained a fear that he should find the Gentleman in the way he retired himself a little into a private corner on the top of the stairs where not long afterwards he observed the Gentleman to passe by and to enter into the Ladies Chamber whereupon he himself repaired directly to his own Lodging to take some repose after his nights travels which he did and did not rise untill it was past nine of the clock in the morning at what time the Gentleman came to him who never failed to give him an account of his Fortune which was not now so good as he hoped it would have proved For he told him That when he came into the Chamber of the Lady he found her out of Bed and in her Night-gown having a great Feaver on her her pulse beating very violently her face all on fire and a great sweat running down her face wherefore she did immediatly intreat him to return from whence he came for fear that she should be inforced to call unto her Maids to come to her assistance so violent was her distemper insomuch she said that she had more need to think of Death than Love and to talk rather of God than of Cupid Howsoever she was very sorry for the hazard into which he had put himself for the love of her because she had no power to make him in this world any requital for his true love being ready to be gone into another At this he was so sad and so astonished that his Fire and his Joy were converted into Ice and Sorrow and so immediatly he departed In the morning on the break of Day he sent to be more surely informed of her health and found for certain that she was in an extreme Indisposition and multiplying his complaints for her he wept so abundantly that it seemed his Soul was comming out with his tears Boninet who had as great a desire to laugh as the other to weep did comfort him the best that possibly he could and told him That things of a long continuance did alwayes meet with an untoward beginning and that Love did a little draw back but to come on with the greater force and to make the Delight more gratefull And on these words they departed The Lady for a certain time did keep her Bed and on the recovery of her health she bid Adieu to her first Servant and grounded it on the fear which she had of Death and the Remorse of her Conscience and continued her familiarities with Signior Boninet the continuation of whose Love according to the Custom was as the Beauty of the Flowers of the Fields It seems to me my Ladies that the subtilties of this Gentleman did equal the hypocrisie of the Lady who having so long counterfeited her self a virtuous woman did at the last declare her self a Fool. You may speak what you will of women said Emarsuite but that Gentleman acted a wicked part for suppose the Lady had a Friend must another circumvent him by his policy You may assure your self said Guebron that such Merchandises can never be better sold but to those that offer most and to those Buyers who come last and give the greatest price Never believe that those who in this nature do court Ladies do endure any great pain for the love of them No no it is only for the love of themselves and for their own pleasures On my credit said Longaren I do believe you for to declare the truth unto you all those Gentlemen which ever yet courted me began all their Complements on my behalf pretending to desire my Life my Good my Honor but the end was only for themselves and for their own pleasure and their own glory therefore it is the safest course to take leave of them at the first part of their Sermon for when we come to the second it is not so much honour to refuse them seeing that Vice when it is once known is refusable of it self It behooveth then said Emarsuite that as soon as ever a Man doth begin to open his mouth we must refuse him without knowing what he would say Parlament answered My Companions you must not understand it so for you know well that at the first words a Lady should not seem to understand any thing neither after he hath declared himself should she much lesse believe him but when he comes to swear and adde oath unto oath it seems to me that it is the best course for a Lady to forsake him then at his climbing of the Hill before he hath have to come down unto the Valley Shall we believe 〈◊〉 said Nomerfide that they love all for ill Is it not a sin to judge our Neighbor You may believe as you will said Oysilla but you ought to be in fear
a way to goe out of her own house into a place where privatly she might see him The Gentleman who on that morning had been let blood in the arm finding himself to be better recovered by that Message than he could be by Physick or all the receits that could be given him did teturn word that he would not fail to come at the hour she appointed and that she had wrought an apparent Miracle for by one word she had cured a Man of a Disease for whom all the Physicians could find no Redresse The Evening being come which he so much longed for the Gentleman repaired to the place which was appointed with so great a Contentment that it could not be increased He attended not long but she whom he loved better than his own soul did come to find him He did not study to make any long Oration for the fire which did burn within him did make him hastily to possesse himself of that which he could hardly perswade himself that he had in his own power and being drunk with Love and Pleasure whiles he sought to provide a remedy for his life more than was requisite he found the advancement of his Death for in the love to his Sweet-heart having forgot himself he perceived not his Arm from which the Vein opening again the blood did come forth so abundantly that the poor Gentleman was almost bathed in it But he believing that his faintnesse did proceed from his Excess of pleasure did think with himself to return to his own Lodging But Love who had too much united them together did so dispose of it that in departing from his friend his soul did depart from himself and by the great effusion of blood he had lost he fell down dead at her feet who was so amazd both in the consideration of the loss which she had of so entire a friend of whose Death she was the only Cause as also of the shame that would fall upon her if the dead body were found in her house that not knowing what to do she and one of her Chambermaids in whom she altogether trusted did carry the body into the Street where she would not leave it alone but taking the sword of her dead friend she resolved to partake of his fortune and perish by the effusion of blood also in punishing that heart which was the cause of all this Evil and forcing the sword quite through her she fell down upon the Body of her Friend The Father and the Mother of this young Gentlewoman comming forth out of their house on the next morning did behold this pittiful spectacle And making as great a lamentation as the Case deserved they did bury them both together By this Ladies you may see what mischiefs do attend the extremity of love This is that which doth please me well said Simontault when Love is so equal that the one dying the other cannot live and if God had made me so blest as to have found such a one I do verily perswade my self that no man had ever loved so perfectly as I should have done But I am of opinion said Parlament that love would not have so much blinded you but you would have remembred to have kept your Arm better than that Gentleman did for those days are passed that Men do forget their lives for their Ladies But those days are not passed said Simontault that Ladies for their pleasure do forget the lives of their Servants I am of opinion said Emarsuite that there is no Woman in the World that taketh pleasure in the death of a Man although he were her Enemy Neverthelesse if Men will kill themselves Ladies cannot help their willfulnesse So it is said Saffredant that she who refuseth a piece of bread to a poor men dying for hunger is esteemed to be a Murderesse If your requests said Oysilla were as reasonable as the poor Mans begging for his necessity Ladies should be too cruel to refuse you But God be praised the malady of love doth kill no man but only those who wold die of themselves that year I know not Madam said Saffredant what is the greatest necessity but only that which doth make us to forget all others For when Love is violent we mind neither bread nor any other delicates whatsoever but only the looks and words of those we love They who would suffer you to fest said Oysilla without giving you any other Viands would quickly make you change your thoughts of Love I must confesse said Saffredant that the Body would fail but the Heart and the good will would still remain Then said Parlament God hath given you a great grace that you should addresse your self to one where you find so little Contentment that you must comfort up your self with eating and drinking with which me thinks you may acquit your self so well that you ought to praise God for that friendly cruelty I am so nourished in affliction said Saffredant that I do begin to solace my self in those torments of which others do complain It may be said Longaren that your love doth so withdraw you from all Company that no other contentment can be welcom to you for there is nothing more troublesom than an importunate Lover Nothing said Simontault unlesse it be a cruel Lady I do perceive said Oysilla that if we should attend to hear an end of the Reasons of Simontault that we should bear no Vespers this Evening Wherefore let us rise and praise God that this Days work is so well accomplished She did begin first of all to rise her self and all the rest did follow her but Simontault and Longaren did continue all the way to discusse the Argument and so gently that without drawing of his Sword Simontault did get the better shewing that the strongest passion was the greatest necessity And speaking those words they did enter into the Church where the Monks did attend them Vespers being ended they did go to Supper where they entertained one another with as much discourse as Diet for the Dispute continued all the time of Supper and all the Evening afterwards until Oysilla told them that it was high time to goe to rest and that five days Journeys were adorned with such delightfull Histories that she was afraid that the sixth day would not be like unto it for it was not possible to invent better Accounts than what were here delivered and which were not Fictions but Truths But Guebron said that as long as the world endured there would something fall out every day which would be new and worthy to be remembred for the depravednesse of bad men and their corruptions will be always such as heretofore they have been and in the same way will be the Goodnesse of Good men And as long as Grace and Corruption do reign upon the Earth they will always fill it with one Novelty or another although it be written That there is nothing new under the Sun But we who have not been called to
the love of any other I do believe said Parlament that if she durst have revealed her marriage she would have been well contented with her Husband but because she would not have it known until her Daughters were married she was inforced to make use of so private a love It was not so said Saffredant but the desires and ambition of women are so great that they can never be contented with one alone Nay I have been informed that those who are accounted the wisest of all their Sex have willingly entertained three at one time One for their Honour another for their Prosit and a third for their pleasure and every one of the three did conceive himself to be the best beloved but the two first did serve the last You speak of those said Oysilla who knew neither Love nor Honour Madam said Saffredant there are some of that condition whom you do esteem to be as honest Ladies as any in the Country where they live You may assure your selves said Hircan that a woman who hath a good wit will know how to live when all others do starve for hunger it may be so said Longaren but when their cunning is discovered they had better to be dead and out of the world Nay it is all their life said Simontault for they esteem it no little glory to be reputed more wise than their Companions and this Title of being more wise which they have learned to their own expence doth more powerfully draw their Servants to their obedience than doth their beauty for amongst those that love it is one of the greatest pleasures finely to manage their love You speak said Emarsuite of a wanton and inordinate love for an Honest love never need to be covered Ha said Dagoucin I beseech you trouble not your head with such a fancy for the more pretious the Drugg is it is always the lesse vented by reason of the indiscretion of those who look upon the cheaper and more common Receipts which to an unknowing man are all one Wherefore when our love is virtuous we ought the more to conceal it than if it were vicious and imperfect because we would not fall into the ill judgement of those who cannot believe that a Man can love a Lady for Honor but that they do love as much for pleasure and so they do conceive and conclude every to one be like themselves But if they were all in good earnest neither the word nor the countenance should carry the least dissimulation especially amongst those who had rather die than think any Evil of love I do assure you Dagoucin said Hircan You are upon a point of such high Philosophy that no Man here doth understand you for you would make them to believe that Men are either Angels or Stones or Devils I know well enough said Dagoucin that Men are Men and subject to all passions but there are those to my knowledge who had rather die than that for their pleasure their Mistresses should do any thing against their Consciences It is too much to die said Guebron I will not believe that word should it proceed from the Mouth of the most austere and the most religious man that is But I doe believe said Hitcan there are many who do desire as much but they are like to those who do not love Grapes because they do grow so high that they cannot gather them Howsoever I doe believe that the wise of that Prince was very joyful that her Husband had learned to understand what such women are I will assure you no said Einarsuite she was very sorry for it by reason of the great love that she did bear unto him I should rather love her said Saffredant who always did fall a laughing when her Husband did kisse her Chamber-maid Truly said Emarsuite you shall give us the Account of it I do give you my place Although it be but short said Saffredant I will recite it to you for I had rather make you laugh than affict you with a tedious discourse A Gentle woman of so good a disposition that seeing her Husband to kisse her Chambermaid did nothing but laugh at it and being demanded the reason of it she made answer that she only laughed at his shadow The fourth Novel BEtween the Pyrenaean Mountains and the Alpes there lived a Gentleman called Thogas who had a handsome Wife Sweet Children a stately house and such abundance of riches and pleasures that he had a just occasion to live most contentedly neverthelesse he was subject to a great pain under the roots of his hair for which the Physicians did advise him not to lie with his Wife to which she willingly consented reguarding nothing more than the life and the health of her Husband She caused her bed to be placed in another corner of the Chamber over against her Husbands and in so direct a line that they could not put their heads out of their beds without seeing one another This Gentlewoman did keep in the house two Chambermaids and whenever their Master and their Mistresse were in bed they did either of them take some merry book in which they did read for their recreation and their Chambermaids did all the while stand by and hold the Candle the youngest of the Maids held the Candle to her Master and the eldest to her Mistresse The Gentleman observing his Chambermaid to be more young and handsome than his Wife did take a great delight to look upon her and oftentimes would interrrupt his reading to entertain her His Wife did very well observe it and did well approve that both her Maid-servants and the Men-servants were so officious to please their Master presuming that he loved none but her self One Evening having read a great deal longer than they were accustomed to doe his Wife did put her head out of the bed and looked towards her Husband where she saw her young Chambermaid who held the Candle but she turning her face towards her Master as she waited on him his Wife could not see her face but her back only and the Maid standing directly before her Master she could not see him at all but on the white wall over against them where the light of the Candle did cast a shadow she could observe him and knew very well by their shadowes which was the Maid which was her Husband and could easily perceive when they met together and when they did draw back from one another and when they laughed and all the postures of them The Gentleman who never thought of being discovered being assured that his Wife could not see him did kisse the Chambermaid at which for the first time his Wife was very patient without speaking a word but when she saw that the shadowes did often meet together and did oftentimes return unto that union fearing they would proceed to worse she begun to laugh as loud as possibly she could insomuch that the shadowes were afraid of her laughter and did separate
from the place wherein he was to which he did give the most virtuous answers that were possible for him to return But the poor Gentleman at last perceiving that his heart began to soften into compassion at the abundance of those tears which rained down from her fair eyes as one that saw Love that hard-hearted little Archer to level at his heart again and make a new and a more deadly wound with his Golden Arrow did betake himself to his best refuge his Heels and as fast as possbly he could he did fly at once both from Love and his late Mistresse and being resolved to live no more under their Tyranny he found he had no other way to overcome them but by flight When he had locked himself in his Chamber being unwilling she should depart from him without knowing his resolution he did write unto her two or three words in Spanish the substance whereof I have found to be so significant that I will not render them to you in French because I will not diminish the gracefulnesse which they doe carry with them in the Spanish Tongue He did send them by a little Novice newly entred into the Monastery who did find her still remaining in the Chapel and transported with such an extremity of despair that if it had been lawfull for her to make her self a Frieresse she would have still continued there But perusing the Paper which contained these words Volunto don venesti anima mi qui en las tristas vides es la mia considering with her self that she was abandoned of all hope she concluded it was her safest way â—o believe his Counsel and the Counsel of her friends and returning to her house she did lead a life as melancholy as he did live an austere one in the House and Habit of Religion Ladies you do here observe what vengeance this Gentleman did take on the coynesse of his Mistresse who thinking to make a further trial of him did throw him into the bottom of despair insomuch that when she was willing she could never recover him Truly said Nomerfide I am even sorry at the heart that he did not abandon the formality of his Habit to espouse her I do believe that it would have proved a lawful and a happy marriage I protest unto you said Simontault I do suppose that he did very wisely in it for he who doth well consider with himself the burthen of Marriage will find it to be more troublesome by far than an austere Religion And he who was so much weakned with disciplines and fastings was afraid to take upon him such a change which should continue all his life In my opinion said Hircan she committed a great wrong to so feeble a man to tempt him unto marriage which is a task great enough for the strongest man in the World but if she had propounded a discourse unto him of Love without any other obligation but of Affection there was no Cord in that which might not be broken nor knot which might not be untyed And seeing to take him out of Purgatory she would put him into Hell I do affirm that he had great reason to refuse her In good earnest said Emarsuite there are too many who thinking to do better than all others do oftentimes worse and clean contrary to that which they thought to have done You make me to remember said Guebron the Story of an old Woman much to this purpose who in her Devotions did clean contrary to what she intended whereupon there did arise a great tumult in the Church of Saint Iohn at Lyons I must desire you said Parlament that you would lake my place and give us the Account My Account said Guebron shall not be so long nor so pittiful as was that which Parlament related The simplicity of an antient Woman who presented a lighted Candle to Saint John of Lyons and fastned it to the Forehead of a Souldier who was fallen asleep on one of the Sepulchers and what ensued thereupon The fifth Novel NEar unto the Church of St. John at Lyons there was a very dark Chappel and before it a Sepulcher made of Stone on the top whereof there was cut the proportions of great personages and round about the Sepulcher were the pourtraicts of many Men who were pourtayed sitting in their Armour A Souldier one day walking in the Church in the time of Summer when it was extremely hot being weary with travell had a great desire to sit down and sleep and observing the Chappel to be both dark and cool did resolve with himself to take a nap at the Sepulcher and sate down amongst those of his fraternity who were pourtrayed sleeping in their Armour It came to passe that a good old Woman who was very devout did come unto the Sepulcher when the Souldier was fast asleep and after she had said her Devotions holding a Candle in her Hand she would have fastned it to the Sepulcher and finding the Man who was asleep to be next unto her she did put it to his Brow to have it stick there but the wax would not cleave fast to that stone the poor old Woman thinking the coldnesse of the Image to be the occasion of it did begin to heat his Brow with her Candle that it might take hold and stick more fast unto it but the Image who was not insensible began aloud to cry out whereat the poor Woman was much amazed and in a greater fear than was the Souldier did cry our a Miracle a Miracle insomuch that all those who were in the Church did run out unto them Some made hast unto the Belfry to ring the Bells others to behold the miracle The good Woman who for fear did run away as fast as ever she could did bring many along with her to behold the complaining Image who was removed and gonâ— before she came which gave a just occasion to many to laugh but some of the Priests could not be so contented but determined with themselves to pick some profit out of it by crying up the miracle and giving a more reverend estimation to the Sepulchre You ought therefore Ladies to take heed to what Saints you do devote your Candels Is it not a strange thing said Hircan that on whatsoever Subject they do imploy themselves Women do always evil Is it ill done said Nomerfide to carry Candles unto Sepulchers Yes said Hircan when they set the foreheads of Men on fire with them for no Good Act can properly be said to be Good if it be attended with Evil. Was not a little Candle a goodly present besides which she brought to offer to God God regards not said Oysilla the value of the present but the heart of him who doth present it It may be that poor Woman had a greater love to God than those who do offer great torches for as the Gospel affirmeth she gave out of her Necessity But I believe not said Saffredant that God who is the Soveraign
did love art dead Thy heart so pure and undefiled could not without death endure to understand the Vice which was in me your friend O my God wherefore didst thou create me a Man having a love so light and a heart so ignorant Why didst not thou rather create me a little dogg who so faithfully did know to serve his Mistresse Alas little Dog the joy which thy barking brought unto me is now turned into perpetual mourning because by my means another was admitted to hear thy voice But so it is dear friend that neither the Love of the Dutchesse nor of any Woman in the World hath caused me to change my affections although she oftentimes hath importuned me to it But ignorance overcame me thinking for ever to preserve your Love but this ignorance cannot excuse me for I have revealed the secret of my friend I have falsified my promise which is the only cause that I see you dead before my eyes Shall death be lesse cruel to me than to your self who only for Love have put an end to your innocent life I must believe shall I believe that death will not vouchsafe to touch my unfaithful and accursed heart for a dishonourable life and the memory of my losse through my own default is more insupportable than ten thousand deaths Woe is me my friend If any one either through malice â—r misfortune had been so cruel as to kill you I should readily have put my hand upon my Sword to have revenged you It is no reason therefore that I should pardon the murtherer who was the occasion of your death and by a more unrighteous act than to have killed you with a Sword If I knew any more wicked Executioner than my self I would desire him to see Justice performed on your treacherous friend O Love By the ignorance of loving I have offended thee and wilt not thou relieve me as thou didst her who inviolately did keep all thy Laws Is it nor reason that by the like honest means I doe end my life It is and most reasonable it is that it be done by my own hand and since with my tears I have bathed your face and with my Tongue I have required pardon of you nothing now remains but that with my own hand I doe render my body like unto yours and that my Soul do follow wheresoever yours is gone before me knowing that a virtuous and an honest love can have no end either in this world or in the World to come And immediately rising from the body as a man transported and out of his sense he drew his Sword and fixing the pummel of it against the Wall and the point of it against his Brest he with great violence did drive it quite through his body and falling down he took his Sweet-heart in his arms and did kisse and imbace her with such affection that he seemed to be more surprized by love than by death The Damosel observing him to draw his Sword did immediately run forth to cry out for help The Duke hearing the cry and doubting some sad accident had befallen those whom he most intirely loved was the first that came into the Wardrop and beholding this lamentable spectacle he endeavoured to take off the Gentleman from the body of the dead Lady if it were possible to save him but he held his Sweet-heart so fast in his arms that he could not sever him from her with all the strength he had until he was quite dead himself Neverthelesse understanding that the Duke did speak unto him and demanded who was the occasion of it he did lift up his head and looking furiously upon him he made answer Your Tongue Sir and my own and bowing down his head again he immediately dyed his face being close joyned to that of his Friends The Duke desiring to be thoroughly informed with all the particulars of this Tragedy did command the Damosel to declare at large unto him whatsoever she had seen or heard which she did all along without sparing any thing whereupon the Duke perceiving that he was the Original of all this Evil did throw himself upon the two dead Lovers and with great Lamentation craving pardon of them for his offence he oftentimes did kiss them rising from them in a fury he drew out the sword froÌ„ the dead body of the Gentleman And as a wild Boar being wounded by a Lance doth run with resistlesse violence at him who made the thrust so the Duke did addresse himself to her who had wounded him quite through his Soul He found her dancing in the Hall and more frolick by farr than she was accustomed to be conceiving that in some measure she had revenged her self upon the Niece of the Duke In the middle of the Dance the Duke did lay hold on her and said unto her you promised not to reveal the Secret upon the forfeit of your life And your life shall answer for your trespasse and speaking those words he took her by her Headgeer and sheathed the sword in her Body at which all the Company were so amazed that they conceiv'd the Duke was bereaved of his Senses Having thus put a violent period to the Life of his Dutchesse he called together his Friends and his Servants and did declare unto them the lamentable and most virtuous story of his Niece and the great Injury that his Wife had done her which caused many tears in all the standers by The Duke afterwards commanded that his Wife should be buried in an Abbey which he had founded and caused a fair Sepulcher to be builded where the bodies of his Niece and of the Gentleman were interred together and an Epitaph was laid upon the Monument declaring the History of their loves and their Tragical Deaths The Duke afterwards did undertake a Voyage against the Turks and God so prospered him that he atchieved great honours and gained large Revenues And on his Return finding his eldest Son able to manage the Government of his Estate he did put on the habit of Religion in the same Abbey where his Wife and the two Lovers were buried where devoutly he passed away the Remainder of his life Ladies this is the History which you have intreated me to declare unto you and which I perceive by your eyes that you have not received without compassion From hence methinks we ought to take an Example to have a care not to fix too much our affections on men For how honest and virtuous soever the love may seem to be in the beginning yet for the most part it goes off with an unpleasing Farewell And moreover you may read that Saint Paul would not that married people should set altogether their affections on one another for by how much the more our hearts are ingaged in a terrestrial Love by so much the lesse they are addicted to the Love of Heaven and spiritual things and the more noble and the more virtuous the Love is the more difficult it is to break
the bonds And this Ladies doth excite me to intreat you that every hour you would demand of God his Holy Spirit that your hearts may be inflamed on his Love and that you may find no difficulty in the hour of Death to forsake that which too much in the world you loved If their love was so virtuous said Hircan as you describe it what was the reason that it was kept so secret Because said Parlament the malice of Men is such they will not believe that a great Love as such as this was can ever be joyned with honesty for they judge of virtuous Men and Women according to their own passions and for that occasion it is requisite that if a virtuous Woman doth please to entertain a virtuous Friend she must discourse secetly with him if she intends to discourse long with him for the Honour of a woman is as apt to be disputed on for loving according to the Laws of Virtue as to the unruly instructions of Vice for we judge not but only according to apparence You say something indeed said Guebron but when the secret comes to be revealed we judge not oftentimes so bad as there is occasion for I do confesse it in some cases said Longaren and therefore the best course is not to love at all We will appeal from that Sentence said Dagoucin for if we thought Ladies were without love we could wish our selves without life We understand that they only live to be beloved and although it sometimes doth fall out that they doe misse of this love yet hope doth sustain them and doth cause them to perform a hundred thousand honourable actions until old age doth change their honest desires into more sanctified resolutions They who would deprive us of the Love of Women must take Arms and Honour from Men and make them all Merchants and instead of acts of Chivalry must make it their only businesse to heap up riches If it were not then for Women said Hircan you will say that we were miserable and wretched as if Men had no hearts but what Women do give unto them But I am of a contrary opinion do believe that there is nothing which doth more abate the heart of Man than too much to love Women and to frequent their conversation And for that occasion it is that the Hebrews were forbid to go unto the warrs in that year wherein they were married for fear that the love of the Wife should draw him from those dangers which there he is bound to undergo For my own part said Saffredant I find no great reason in that Law for there is nothing that can make a Man sooner to goe out of his House than to be married for the Warrs without doors are always more grateful and more tollerable than that within and I do believe that to give a desire to men to travel into forein Countreys and not slothfully to amuse themselves at their own fires they ought to marry It is true said Emarsuite that marriage doth take from them all care of their own houses for being married they trust altogether to their Wives and they think on nothing themselves but on the purchase of Honour being confident that their Wives at home will take care enough for their profit In whatsoever sense you will render it said Saffredant I am very glad that you are of my opinion But all this while said Parlament you discourse not of that which is most considerable which is why the Gentleman which was the occasion of this most unhappy accident did not die of meer sorrow as well as the young Gentlewoman who was innocent Nomerfide made answer to her It is because that women do love better and more faithfully than Men. No said Simontault It is because the jealousie and the desire of Women do make them believe that which they have no reason to believe and the Wisedom of Men doth direct them to seek after the Truth only which being rightly understood doth show the greatnesse of their hearts as is apparent by this Gentleman who having understood that he was the occasion of the death of his Sweet-heart did make it remarkable how much he did love her without sparing his own life Howsoever said Emarsuite she died for true love for her faithfull and loyal heart could not endure to be so unexpectedly betrayed It was not Love but Jealousie said Simontault which would give no place to reason and because she did believe that Evil to be in her friend which indeed was not as she thought it was her death was constrained by an excesse of grief for it lay not in her power to help it but the death of her friend was voluntary and of his own accord after he knew the injury he had done her The Love must needs be great said Nomerfide which caused so great a sorrow You need not fear at all said Hircan that you will ever die of that Feaver And as much I dare undertake for you said Nomerfide you will never kill your self after you have known your offence Parlament doubting their debate might prove to her expence did smiling say unto them It is enough that two already have been dead for Love let Love let you two alone And hark this is the last time that the Bell rings in to Vespers Will you go or no Speaking those words the Company all did rise and did repair to the Evening Song not forgetting in their good prayers the soules of true Lovers for which the Monks of their own accord did sing their Hymn De profundis And afterwards as long as Supper did continue they had no other discourse but of Madam Du Verger and having for a pretty while passed away their time in such Conference they did all retire into their Chambers and did put an End to the Accounts of the seventh day The End of the seventh Journall The Eighth Dayes Iournal of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface THe Morning being come they sent to understand in what a readiness their Bridge was and understood that within two or three dayes it would be finished which did nothing please some of the Company who from their hearts desired that the Work would last longer that the contentment might contitinue which they received in that happy company And seeing they had but two or three days at most they were resolved not to lose that time and desired Madam Oysilla to administer unto them the Spiritual pasture of their Souls as she had been accustomed to do which accordingly she did and held them longer than was usual for before that they departed one from another she desired to put an end to her readings on Saint John in which she did so well acquit her self that it seemed â—he Holy Ghost full of Love and Sweetness did speak by her Mouth And all of them being inflamed with that Holy fire did repair to hear high Masse After Dinner talking together on the Journal of the Day
with them in the fear told them that they were naughty boys who came to a Highway-man who kept an Inn close by him to take a part with him in the booty Whereupon the two Gentlemen with their Grooms did immediatly arm themselves and made hast to the succour of the Ladies for whom they esteemed Death to be more happy than to live after them And as soon as they came unto the house they found the first Gate broken open and the two married Gentlemen gallantly defending themselves with their servants but because the Robbers were too numerous and that they were sorely wounded they began to retire themselves having lost a great number of their servants the two young Gentlemen looking up to the window beheld the two Ladies weeping and crying out so lowdly that being transported with love and pity like two inraged Bears descending from the Mountains they fell upon the Robbers with so much sury that having killed a great number of them those that were lest not desiring to come under such violent blowes did fly unto a place of retreat The young Gentlemen having thus defeated those Assassinates of whom the Host himself was one did understand that the Hostess was worse than her Hushand and therefore they did send her after him by a thrust of a Rapier and entring into one of the lower Chambers they found one of the married Gentlemen giving up the Ghost the other had received no hurt at all but onely his cloaths were much slashed and run through with swords and his sword was broken and being very sensible of the relief which these two Gentlemen brought unto him having embraced them and thanked them he desired that they would not forsake him which was a request very easie unto them to grant wherefore having interred the Gentleman that was dead and comforted his Lady in the best manner that they could they took their way as God did direct them without knowing on what hand to go If you please to understand the names of the three Gentlemen and the Ladies he that was maried was called Hircan and his wife Parlament the other Lady who so lately became a Widdow was called Longeren the two Gentlemen who so happily came in to their succour the one of them was named Dagoucin and the other Saffredant After they had been all day on horsback on the Evening they heard a Bell to which place but not without pain and travail they did their utmost endeavour to arrive and were courteously entertained by the Abbot and the Monks It was the Abbey of Saint Savin The Abbot who was of a noble family having brought them to their Lodgings which were magnificent did demand them of their fortunes And having understood the truth thereof he told them That they were not alone who suffered in that Ruin for in another Chamber there were two young Ladies who had escaped the like danger and so much the greater by how much there is more compassion in Man than in a Beast for the poor Ladies half a mile on this side of Pyrchita had discovered a great Bear comming down the Hill upon them from whom they sled with so much speed that at their entrance into his Gates their horses fell down dead under them and two of their women who came a long time after them did inform them That the Bear had destroyed all their servants whereupon the two Ladies and three Gentlemen did enter into the Chamber where they were and found them weeping and knew that one of them was Nomerfide and the other Emarsuite who imbracing each other did recount what had happened and began to comfort themselves being more incited thereunto by the consolations of the good Abbot that thus they met together On the morning they heard Mass with great devotion praysing God for their deliverance from their dangers When they were all at Mass Behold a Man who had nothing on him but his shirt only did run into the Church flying as some body had pursued him and crying aloud for Help Immediatly Hircan and the other Gentlemen made up to him to see what the business was and they found two men following him at the heels with their swords drawn who observing so great a company would have betaken themselves to flight but Hircan and those with him did follow them so close that they left their lives on the place When Hircan had well observed the party that was relieved and who was in his shirt only he perceived that it was Guebron who was one of their Companions who did impart unto them That lodging in a Cottage near unto Pyrchita there came three men to assault him being in bed who although he was in his shirt he did wound one of them with his sword in such manner that immediatly he died and whiles the other were busie and in debate where to bestow him he observing that he was naked and they armed did conceive that there was no other way to be too hard for them but by flight only which he might the better do being not charged with habiliments and he thanked God and them who thus had executed vengeance for him on his Enemies After that they had said Mass and dined they sent to see if it were possible to passe the River of Gane and understanding the impossibility of it they were in a great distresse although the Abbot had often offered them to continue there untill such time as the waters were decreased to which they only accorded for that day As they were going to bed at night there arived an old Monk who every year never failed in September to have recourse unto our Lady at Serrance who being demanded of the occurrences of his Journey made answer That by reason of the high waters he came all along the mountains and the worst ways that were ever travelled where he beheld one spectacle of great pity which was That he met with a Gentleman called Simontault who being impatient at the long continuance of the over-flowing River did resolve to force it trusting in the goodness of his Horse to effect which he did place his servants on each side of him to break the furious eddy of the stream but when they were in the middle of it those who were worst of all mounted were carried away by the violence of the River and never did return again The Gentleman seeing himself alone turned back his horse from whence he came but his horse for all his force and promptnesse did sink under him But it pleased God that he was so near the Bank that being but four foot from it and having drank much water he waded forth and sat down upon two flints so weak and feeble that he was not able to support himself It so fell out that a Shepherd driving homeward his flocks in the Evening did find him almost covered with mud upon the stones and no lesse sorrowfull for his people whom he saw to be carried away by the River and destroyed
Novell IN the City of Ambois there dwelled a Keeper of Mules who served the Queen of Navarre Sister to King Francis the First of that Name who was brought to Bed of a Son at Blois to which place the Keeper of the Mules repaired to be payed for his Quarters service His Wife continued still at Ambois and lodged not far from the Bridge Her Husband had a servant who for a long time did love her so desperately that one day he could not contain froÌ„ speaking to her but she who was a most virtuous Woman did reprove him so severely threatning that her Husband should beat him and put him away that after that time he durst not speak to her any more nor make any countenance of Love but kept that fire concealed in his heart Untill that on a time his Master was gon out of Town and his Mistresse was at the Vespers at St. Florentines a Church belonging to the Castle of the City and a great way from her own house Being alone it came into his head to enjoy that by force which by no prayer or service he could obtain whereupon he did break down a board which was the partition betwixt his Mistresse Chamber and that wherein he lay but because there was a hanging cloath neer to the Bed of his Master and Mistresse which did cover the walls so well that the rupture which he made could not be perceived his malice and treachery was not discovered untill that his Mistresse was in bed with a Girl she kept of about twelve years of age As the poor woman was in her first sleep her servant came in his shirt only into her bed through the whole made in the wall and had a sword drawn in his hand But as soon as she perceived him to draw near unto her she leaped out of the Bed and used all tho reasons and perswasions to him as it was possible for a good Woman to deliver but he who was transported with a Bestial desire and did understand better the language of Mules than her honest Remonstrances did shew himself more brutish than the Beasts with whom so long time he conversed for observing that she did run round the Table and that he could not take hold of her and withall that she was so strong that twice together she got off from him growing into a despair ever to enjoy her alive he gave her with his sword a great blow upon the back conceiving to himself if neither fear nor force could make her to yeeld that pain should effect it But it proved contrary to his expectation for as a gallant Soldier seeing his blood is more inflamed to revenge himself on his Enemies and to purchase honour so her chast heart did doubly inforce her to run and to flie from the hands of this wicked villain and oftentimes at some distance she would hold him in the best discourse she could to see if by any means she could reduce him to the acknowledgement of his offence but he was inflam'd with such a furie that there was no place in him to receive good counsell insomuch that he gave the poor Woman many wounds more which to avoyd she always ran from him as long as her leggs were able to carry her and when by the great effusion of her blood she found that Death approached joyning her hands together and lifting her eyes to Heaven she gave thanks unto God the God of Power Virtue Patience and Chastity and besought him to accept of her blood which by his appointment was shed in reverence and obedience to that of his Sons in whom she most assuredly did beleeve that all her sins were washed and wiped away from the Memory of his Anger And speaking Lord receive my Soul which by thy mercy hath been redeemed shee fell on her face upon the Earth where the bloody Miscreant did still print more wounds on her body and when she had lost both her speech and the strength of her body the Villain seised upon her by force who no longer could defend her self and having satisfied his reprobate concupiscence he fled away so hastily that for all the Hue and Cryes that did follow him he could never be heard of more The young Girle who lay with this poor woman being overcome with fear did hide her self under the bed but when she saw that the Man was gone she came unto her Mistresse and found her without speech or motion whereupon she cryed to the neighbors out of the window to come to her assistance They who did love and as much respect her as any woman in the City did immediatly come to her and brought with them two Chirurgions who found that she had on her body five and twenty mortal wounds they did what they could to keep that little life that was left in her but it was impossible Yet she continued languishing away for the Space of a whole hour without speaking any word making signs with her eyes and hands by which she shewed that she had not lost her understanding Being asked by a Church-man of the Faith in which she dyed and of her Salvation she made answer by signs so evident that her words could not more manifestly declare that her confidence was in the Death of Jesus Christ whom she hoped to behold in his coelestial City and thus with a joyfull countenance lifting up her eyes to heaven she surrendred her chast Body to the Earth and her Soul to her Creâ—tor Being taken up and a shrowd cast on her her Body was no sooner brought down to the Door of her house attending the coming of the Company to her burial but behold her poor Husband did arrive who first saw the dead Body of his wife at the Door of his house before he had heard the melancholy news of her death And having understood the occasion of it he had double reason to lament which he did in such a manner that he almost had lost his life Thus this Martyr of Chastity was carried to her burial into the Church of Saint Florencin where all the good women of the City did not fail in their endeavours to accompany her and did honour her as much as possibly they could esteeming themselves most happy to be of that City in which so virtuous a woman lived The foolish and light Huswives beholding the honour that was done unto her did resolve with them selves to change their wanton lives You have heard Ladies a true History which ought to make our hearts more circumspest to guard this honorable Virtue of Chastity And we that are descended of noble Families ought even to die for shame to find in our hearts that sensuality to avoid which a poor Mule-Keepers wife did not fear so cruell a Death Alas How many are there who esteem themselves good women and yet never understood what it is to resest unto Bloud Wherefore we ought to exercise our selves with repentance and humility for the Graces of God are not given
unto us for our nobleness or our riches but according to the pleasure of his Bounty who is no accepter of persons and who chooseth whom he pleaseth For those whom he chooseth he doth honour with his virtues and doth crown them with his glory and oftentimes he maketh choice of base things to confound those which the world esteems to be high and honourable Therefore as he himself saith let us not rejoice in our greatness but in this that our Names are written in the Book of Life There was not a Lady in the Company that had not tears in her eyes in compassion of the lamentable and glorious Death of that poor Woman Every one resolved with themselves that if the like fortune should befall them they would imitate the same Martyr Madam Oysilla observing that the Time did passe away in the many praises of this dead Woman did say to Saffredant If you speak not something to make the Company laugh I do not see any amongst you who can forget the fault I have committed which is to make you weep Wherefore I give you my voice Saffredant had a desire to speak some good thing which might be agreeable to the Company and above all to one of them how soever some wrong was done in regard that there were some more antient and more experienced than himself who should have spoke before him Nevertheless his lot being such he had rather dispatch it now for there were more to come of good speakers and the longer he stayed the more his Account would appear lesse pleasing A King of Naples abusing the Wife of a Gentleman did in the end carry the Horn himself The Third Novell LAdies said Sassredant Because I have oftentimes wished my self to be a companion of his Fortune of whom I am now giving you an account I shall tell you That in the City of Naples in the time of King Alphonsus whose Lust was the Scepter of his Realm there was a Gentleman so gallant goodly and attractive that for his perfections an antient Gentleman gave him his Daughter in Marriage which in Beauty and sweetnesse of Disposition was nothing inferiour to her Husband The Love between these two was great untill that wanton time when the King in a Masque did go amongst the Houses of the Great Ones of his Kingdom where every one did strive to give him the greatest entertainment that they could and when he came into the house of this Gentleman he was more magnificently received than in any other place as well by Collations as by Songs and Musick and by the most beautifull Lady that ever he beheld who at the end of the Feast did bear a part in a Song with her Husband which she did with so much grace that it did encrease her beauty The King beholding two perfections in one body took not so much pleasure at the mutuall according of the Husband and the Wife as he took care how to dissolve it He found the difficulty to perform it was in the united affection which he observ'd betwixt them Therefore he carried in his heart his passion as closely as possibly he could but to comfort it in part he made many Feasts to all the Lords and Ladies of Naples at which this Gentleman and his Wife were never forgotten And because that we do willingly believe that which we see it seemed to him that the fair eyes of this Lady did promise him some Good to come if the Presence of her Husband did give no hinderance to it and to make tryall if this conjecture of his were true or not he gave her Husband a Commission to go to Rome for fifteen dayes or three weeks and as soon as he was gon his Wife who never before was deprived of the sight of him made many great laments for which she was comforted by the King as often as he could by his perswasions and by his presents Insomuch that at last she was not only comforred but contented also with the absence of her Husband and before the three weeks were expired that her Husband should return she was so amorous of the King that she was as much grieved at the return of her Husband as she was at his going from her And that she might not lose the presence of the King she did conclude with him that when her Husband did goe unto his Houses in the Country she would acquaint him with it who then with assurance might come unto her and so secretly that no man whom she feared more than her own Conscience could have any notice of it In this hope the Lady remained very joyfull and when her Husband was come home she gave him such good entertainment that although he understood that in his absence the King made very much of her yet he could not receive it into his belief But in the processe of time the fire so hard to be concealed did by degrees begin to shew it self insomuch that her Husband began to have a strong suspition of her and did keep over her so strict a watch that he was almost assured of the Truth But by reason of the fear that did invade him that he who had done him this injury would do him a greater if he should make it known he tesolved with himself to dissemble it for he believed it to be safer to live though with some discontent than to hazard his life for a Woman that had forfeited her love Neverthelesse in this despite he resolved to render the like unto the King if it were possible And knowing that Love doth assail those most of all who have a heart great and honourable he assumed the boldnesse one day talking with the Queen to tell her That he did extremely pity her that she was no better beloved of the King her Husband The Queen who had understood of the familiarity of the King and his Wife made answer I cannot enjoy Honour and Pleasure together I know very well that I have the Honour of which another receives the Pleasure and she that hath the Pleasure cannot enjoy the Honor which I have He who understood sufficiently upon what account those words were spokē replied to her Madam Honour is born with you for you are of so high-born an extract that to be Queen or an Empress doth not augment your nobility but your beauty grace and sweetness doth deserve so much pleasure as she who hath taken that from you which belongs unto you doth doe more wrong to her self than you she for a little glory which turns into her shame doth lose as much pleasure as you or any Lady in the Land can enjoy and I can tell you Madam that if the King would but put the Crown from off his head I am confident he had no advantage above me in giving content unto a Lady being sure that to satisfie so gallant a personage as your self he ought to change his complexion into mine The Queen in laughter made answer to him Although the King
be not of so delicate a complexion as your self so it is that the love which he bears to me doth so much content me that I prefer it above any other thing The Gentleman said unto her Madam If it were so you should not pitty me for I know well that the honest love of your heart would give all contentment if it sound the like love in the heart of the King but God hath so appointed it that not finding in him that which you expected you should not make to your self any God on earth I doe confesse unto you said the Queen that the love I bear him is so great that the like cannot be found in any other heart but my own Pardon me Madam said the Gentleman you have not yet sounded the love of all hearts for I dare professe unto you that such a one doth love you whose affection is so great an insupportable that yours in comparison of his would appear nothing at all And because he finds the love of the King to decrease towards you and his own most infinitely augmented if it be agreable to you you shall be recompensed for all your sufferings The Queen as well by his countenance as by his words did begin to understand that what he spake did proceed from the bottom of his heart and did consider with her self it was long since that he first professed service to her with such affection that he became melancholy therewith which at first she conceived to be occasioned by his wife but now she firmly believed that it was for the love of her And thus the virtue of Love which can make it self to be perceived when it is not counterfit doth also make it self certain of that which is hid from all the world And looking on the Gentleman who was more lovely than her own Husband finding that he was forsaken by his wife as she was by the King being possessed with despite and Jealousie of her Husband and incited by the love of the Gentleman she began to speak with tears and sighes O my God! And can vengeance then force that from me which no Love could ever do The Gentleman who well understood the sense of her words made answer Madam Sweet is his Vengeance who instead of killing an Enemy doth give life to a perfect friend It appears to me that it is now high time that Truth and a just and reasonable love should take from you that sottish love which you bear to him who loves not you Chase from you that sordid fear which cannot have a Mansion in a heart great and noble Let us lay aside Madam the greatnesse of your Estate and regard that you and my self are the most laugh'd at Man and Woman in the world betrayed by those whom most perfectly we have loved Let us revenge our selves Madam not so much to render them their deserts as to satisfie Love which on my part cannot any longer be sustained without Death And I beleeve if you have not a heart more hard than a flint or diamond that it is impossible for you not to feel some sparks of that fire which so much the more increaseth in me as I endeavour to conceal it And if that pity on me who die for the love of you cannot incite you to love me at least let the pity which you ought to have on your self constrain you to it who being so absolutely perfect do deserve to be the Mistresse of the hearts of all the gallant Men in the world and are undervalued and forsaken by him for whom you have disdained all others The Queen hearing these words was so transported that she was afraid to shew by her countenance the trouble of her spirit leaning on the â—rm of the Gentleman did go with him into a garden neer unto her Chamber where a long time she walked without speaking one word to him The Gentleman seeing her half vanquished when they were come to the end of an Alley where none could descry them did by effect declare that love unto her which so long a time he concealed and thus with delight they both fulfill'd their vengeance the passion whereof before was so unsupportable to them They determined there between them both that as often as he repaired to his Country house and the King should come from his Palace into the Town to her that immediately he should come about and return to the Palace to the Queen And thus deceiving the deceivers they were all four partakers in that pleasure which two of them thought to have had alone by themselves The agreement being made they returned the Queen to her Chamber in the Palace and the Gentleman to his house both of them with such content that they had forgot all their former distractions And the fear which before possessed them that the King was with this Gentlemans wife was now turn'd into a desire to have it so which was the cause that the Gentleman more often than he was accustomed did repair unto his Village which was but half a mile from the City and as soon as the King understood of it he did not fail to give a visitation to his Wife and when ever night drew on the Gentleman did constantly come into the Palace to the Queen to perform the Office of the Kings Lieutenant but so privatly that never any did perceive it This course of life continued a long time but the King being a publick person could not so well dissemble his love and many honest men took great pity on the Gentleman for the naughty boyes would make horns at him behind his back in sign of Mockery which he understood well enough but this mockery was so pleasing to him that he as highly esteemed of his Horns as of the Crown of the King who one day his Wife being with him could hardly contain themselves from laughing out-right they both beholding the head of a Stagg which was nailed up in the House of the Gentleman the King said the head was very suitable in that place The Gentleman who had as good a heart as himself presently after the Kings departure did write upon the head To porto le corna chi ascundo vede ma talle porta chi nolo crede The King not long afterwards returning to his house did observe the writing on the head of the Stagg and demanded of the Gentleman the reason of it who made answer unto him If the secret of the King be concealed to the Stagg I see no reason that the secret of the Stagg should be declared to the King But you may content your self he said that those who carry horns do not all show theÌ„ beaming forth from their head for some of theÌ„ are so pleasant that they will not unbonnet any Man and he doth bear them lightest who thinketh that he hath none at all The King understood by these words well enough that he knew something of his own affairs but never suspected the love between the
Queen and himself for the Queen seemed to be the more contented with the life of her Husband wherefore they lived a long time in familiarity both on the one side and on the other untill that old age did put a period to it Ladies Behold here a History which I willingly represent unto you for Examples sake that when your Husbands do give you the Horns of a Goat you may present them with the Horns of a Stagg Emarsuite laughing began to speak I am well assured Saffredant that if you doe love as much now as heretofore you have done you would endure to wear Horns as great as any Oak to give one where you do fancy but now since your hairs grow white it is high time to give a respite to your desires Madam said Saffredant Although that all Hope is taken from me by her whom I did love and the Heat of Love by Age yet my good will continues still but because you have reproved me for so unblamable a desire I give you my voice to speak the fourth Novell that we may see if you can disprove me by any Example True it is that during this discourse one of the Ladies in the Company began to laugh out-right knowing that she who took up Saffredant for these words was not so well beloved by him as that for her sake he would suffer either horns or shame or damage And when Saffredant perceived that she who did so laugh did understand him he did contain himself being very well contented and gave Emarsuite leave to speak who began in this manner Ladies To the end that Saffredant and this fair Company may understand that all Ladies are not like to this Queen of whom he hath spoken and that the rash and unadvised do not always arrive at their own ends as also to conceal the opinion of a Lady who judged the Despite to fail in the Enterprise to be worse than Death I will give you the account of an History in which I will not name the persons because it is so fresh in Memory that I am afraid I shall displease some of her Kinred who are not far from me The rash Enterprise of a Gentleman to incounter a Princess of Flanders and the hurt and shame which he sustained The fourth Novell IN Flanders there was a Lady of so good a House that the could not be of a better she was a Widdow and had had two Husbands but no children by them living During her widdo whood she lived privately in her Brothers House by whom she was very well beloved who was a great Lord and Husband to one of the Daughters of the King This young Prince was much addicted to his pleasures hunting hawking and other pastimes and to the Company of Ladies and such sports as youth is prone unto He had a very perverse Lady to his Wife to whom the Pastimes of her Husband were no way pleasing whereupon he took his Sister to live with him who was of a merry heart and the best Company that could be neverthelesse very wise and provident There was in the house of this Lord a Gentleman whose Greatness Bounty and sweetnesse of Disposition did surpasse all his Companions This Gentleman seeing the Sister of his Master to be alwayes merry and of a lively disposition did resolve with himself that he would try whethor the propositions of an honest Friend would be displeasing to her or no which he did accordingly but received from her an answer quite contrary to her countenance and although her answer was such as became a Princesse and a Lady of unquestionable honour yet seeing him so lovely and in other things so noble she easily pardoned his boldnesse and told him that she would not be displeased as often as he should speak unto her but desired him to make no more words concerning such a purpose which he promised to doe being afraid to lose the happinesse and the honour to converse with her Neverthelesse at last his affection did so encrease that he forgot the promise which he had made unto her not that he intended to court her any more with words for he had too often to his experience found the wise and grave answers which she gave him but he conceived with himself that if he could get her at a place of advantage that she who was a Widdow young lusty and of an excellent complexion might possibly take some pity on him and on her self also To arrive to this end he told his Master that he had neer to his own house a very fair Chace and if he pleased to repair thither to kill three or four Bucks in the month of May he could not see better sport The Lord as well for the love he did bear unto the Gentleman as for the pleasure of the Chace did grant him his request and did go along with him to his house which was a very fair one and in good order he being the richest Gentleman that was in that Country He lodged the Lord and his Lady in one body of the house and over against them her whom he loved better than himself The Chamber was so well hung with Arras and so well matted that it was impossible to perceive the trap-door which he had made betwixt the Bed and the Wall which descended into that Room where his Mother lay who was an antient Lady and troubled with a weaknesse in her eyes and because she had the cough being afraid to disturb the Lady who lay above her she changed her chamber for that of her Sons and every evening that old woma did carry Confects to the Lady for her Collation in which service this Gent did assist her who being much beloved by her Brother and of his most privat counsels was not refused to be present every morning at the Princesses and at her rising up and every night at their lying down where he saw daily an occasion to augment his affection Insomuch that one Evening having kept this Lady up so late that sleep seizing on her eys did force him from her Chamber he retired to his own and when he had taken the most gorgeous and perfumed shirt that he had and a night cap so well accoutred that nothing could be wanting to it looking in his glass he thought unto himself that there was no Lady in the world who could refuse so lovely gallant and so proper a personage Wherefore promising to himself a happy issue of his Enterprise he repaired to his bed where he intended to make but a short stay for the desire and the hope he entertained to possesse a place in one more honourable and pleasant As soon as he had sent forth all his people he did arise to shut the door after them and a long time did listen if in the Chamber of the Lady which was directly above his own he could hear any noise and when he could assure himself that all was quiet he began his sweet travels and by degrees
opening the trap-door which was so fitly made and covered with cloath that it made not the least crack he went up into the Ladies Chamber between the bed and the wall and without any regard to the obligation which he made her nor to the illustrious family of which she was descended and without demanding any leave or making reverence to her he lay down close unto her who sooner found her self in his arms then perceived his comming But she being a lusty woman did wrest her self out of his arms and asking him who he was began to strike and bite and scratch him insomuch that he was constrained for fear she should cry out to stop her mouth with the coverlet which was impossible for him to doe for when she saw that he spared nothing of all his strength to procure her shame she spared nothing of her own to defend her self and as lowd as she could she called for her Lady of Honour an antient and wise Woman who lay in her Chamber who presently in her Smock made hast unto her Mistresse when the Gentleman found that he was discovered he had so great a fear to be known who he was that as fast as he could he went down the same way he came up and as great as his hope was before and desire to be entertained so great a grief and despair possessed him to find himself return'd in that sad condition He found his Glasse and the Candle upon the table and looking on his face bleeding with the scratches which she had given him and the blood dropping on his short which had discoloured the gold he began to say O beauty thou hast now well rewarded me according to my merit for through thy vain promises I have attempted a thing which is impossible and which it may be instead of augmenting my contentments may be the doubling of all my sorrows being assured that if she should know that against the promise I have made her I have enterprised this folly I should lose all the respect and familiar frequentation which no man hath with her more than my self To gain the love of her heart I should not by force have attempted to have surprized her fair body but by my service and humble patience have attended untill that Love became victorious for without it all the virtue and force of Man have no power at all In this manner he passed away the night in complaints tears and sighs which cannot be number'd In the Morning beholding his face so torn he counterfeited that he was sick and not able to endure the light untill the Princes were gone from his House The Lady who remained victorious being confident that there was not a man in her Brothers Court who durst have attempted so lewd an enterprise but he only who assumed the boldnesse to declare his love unto her did assure her self that it was he who endeavoured so much to work her shame and with her Lady of Honor sought every place and corner of the Chamber to find which way it could be and when she could not discover any thing she spoke unto her in a great choler Assure your self that it can be no other but the Master of the house and in the morning I will make such a complaint to my Brother of him that his head shall be the witnesse of my Chastity Her Lady of Honour seeing her in this resolution spake unto her Madam I am very sensible of the Love which you have unto your Honor to increase which you will not spare the life of one who hath too much hazarded it through the force of that love he bears you but oftentimes we think to increase that which we diminish Wherefore I beseech you Madam that you would vouchsafe to represent unto me the truth of the fact and when the Lady had given her an account of it all along her Lady of Honor said unto her You assure me then that he received nothing but blows and scratches from you The Lady made answer Nothing else I dare assure you and if he meet not with a good Chirurgion I do beleeve that on to morrow the marks will be apparent Madam since it iâ—slo said her Lady of Honour it seems to me that you have more occasion to praise God than to resolve with you self to be revenged of him for you ought to beleeve since he hath so great a heart to make such an enterprise the despite he hath to have failed in it is more grievous to him than any Death that you can give him If you desire to be revenged on him let him alone to Love and Shame which know better how to torment him than you or any Instigations of your Honor. Take heed Madam to fall into an Inconvenience such as is his own for instead of enjoying the greatest pleasure that possibly he could desire he hath received the greatest shame that possibly a Gentleman can indure So you Madam thinking to increase your Honour do go the next way to diminish it For if you will make a complaint you will make that publick which now no Man knows for you may be sure that for his part he will not reveal it unto any And whe Monsieur your Brother shall perform that Justice which you demand and the poor Gentleman shall come to suffer death the Report will run that he would have to doe with you according to his pleasure and the greatest part will say That it is a strange thing for a Gentleman to make such an enterprise if the Lady had not given him some great occasion her self You are fair and young and merry in all Company there is not any in this Court who doth not observe the daily respects of Love which you vouchsafe this Gentleman you suspect who will not judge that if he hath made such an attempt it is not without some fault on your side And your Honour which untill now hath always gone with an advanced head shall be disputed of in every place where this story shall be repeated The Lady understanding the good reasons of her Lady of Honour did apprehend that she spake the truth and that justly she should be blamed especially by reason of the familiar love that she was pleased to shew unto him She therefore demanded of her Lady of Honour what she should do who said unto her Madam since you are pleased to receive my counsell and do observe the affection from whence it comes it seems to me that you ought to entertain a perfect joy in your heart that the most handsom and most accomplished Gentleman that I have seen knew neither by love nor force to dispossesse you of your Chastity And for this Madam you ought to humble your self before God and to acknowledge that this is not by your virtue for many great Ladies who have led a life more austere than your self have been humbled by Men lesse worthy to be loved than himself And moreover you ought to take heed to
entertain no more discourses of love with him because there are too many who the second time have fallen into dangers which they bad avoided the first Madam remember that love is blind and blinds us in such a manner that when we think the path most sure it is oftentimes most slippery And Madam it seems to me that you ought not to make the least show of what in this case hath happened to you either to himself or to any other and if he shall yet speak any thing to you concerning it do you pretend that you know nothing at all to avoyd two dangers the one of the vain glory of the victory you have obtained the other in taking pleasure in remembering things so pleasant to the flesh some the most chaste have enough to do to keep themselves from feeling some heats thereof although they fly from the temptations as fast as possibly they can And to the end Madam that he might not think by this hazard that he hath done something which may be agreeable to you I shall advise you that by degrees you will remove your self and your accustomed familiarityes from him to the end he might understand how much you despise his follies and how great your goodnesse is which is contented with the victory which God hath given you without demanding any vengeance on him And Madam God give you the grace to continue the honesty which he hath put in your heart and understanding that all blessings come from him to love and serve him better than you have been accustomed to do The Lady intended to put in practice the counsell of her Lady of Honour and slept with as much comfort as the Gentleman did keep himself awake with sadness The next morning the Lord prepared to be gone and asked for the Gentleman it was told him that he was struck with so sudden a sicknesse that he could not endure to see the light nor any Man to speak to him whereat the Prince was very sorry and would have gone to see him but being informed that he was asleep he was unwilling to awake him and without saying Adieu unto him he departed from his house taking his Wife and Sister with him who understanding the excuses of the Gentleman not to see the Prince nor the Company at his departure did hold her self assured that it was she who had brought this dangerous Indisposition on him because he duist not shew the marks which she had given him And although his Master the Prince sent often to him to come to Court yet he would not return untill he were well healed of all his hurts but only that which Love Despite had printed in his heart When he was returned to Court and found himself before his victorious Enemy it was not without blushing on her part and he who was accustomed to be the most spiritfull in all the Court was so amazed that oftentimes before her he held down his head wherefore she was fully assured that her former suspition was true and by little and little she estranged her self from him though not so closely but he perceived it well enough but he durst take no notice of it for fear of suffering worse and kept afterwards that love of his concealed in his heart with that patience of Restraint as he deserved Ladies Here you may behold what ought to give a great fear to those who presume on that which pertains not to them and it ought to be an example of incouragement to Ladies to behold the virtue of this young Lady and the good Counsel of her Lady of honour If any one of you shall chance to be in the like condition the remedy is already given It seems to me said Hircan that the Gentleman of whom you have spoken had so faint a heart that he was not worthy of that Lady for having such an opportunity he ought not either for young or old to let fall his enterprise And I might well say that his Heart was not full of Love since the fear of death and shame found so much room therein Nomerfide replyed unto him what would you have the poor Gentleman do seeing he had two women against him Do said Hircan why he ought to have killed the old one and when the young one was with him alone she had been half overcome Kill him said Nomerfide would you make a murderer of a Lover If you are of that opinion one might well fear how he falls into your hands If I had you so far said Hircan I should account my self dishonour'd if I came not to the end of my intentions Whereupon Guebron said Do you think it such a strange thing that a Princesse â—rought up in all the ways of Honour should be so difficult to be surprised by one man you ought then much more to marvel at one poor woman who escaped from the hands of two men Guebron said Emarsuite I give you my voice to speak the fifth Novel Since you have chosen me said Guebron to be that party I will tell you a History which I know to be true for I have made inquisition of it at the place where it was done and by that you shall understand that all the wit and virtue of woman is not altogether in the heads and hearts of Ladies nor all love and artifice in those of whom we do oftentimes esteem more highly than they are A Beat-mans wise escaped from two Friers who would have forced her and play'd her part so well that their sin was discovered to all the world The fifth Novell IN the Port of Couloon hard by Niort there was a Boat-mans Wife who night and day did nothing else but ferry over passengers It fell out that two gray Friers of Niort did passe the River with her alone and because it is one of the longest passages in all France to keep themselves in action they courted the woman in the way of Love she made them such an answer as did become her but they who were not weary for any long travel they had on the way nor cold by any disâ—â—mper of the water nor ashaâ—ed at the denial of the woman did both determine by â—â—â—mselves to take her by force and if she made any complaint they threatned to throw her into the River she being as wise and cunning as they were foolâ—h and malicious said unto them I am not so hard hearted as I have made you think for I pray you only to grant me two things you shall then understand that I have a greater desire to obey you than you have to entreat me The Friers did swear unto her by their St. Francis that she should not ask that thing which they would not perform to have that of her which they desired In the first place I require of you said she that you swear and promise to me that neither of you will declare what shall be done to any man living to which most willingly they did swear Secondly
surprized them The sixth Novell THere was an antient Groom of the Chamber of Charles the last Duke of Alencon who had lost one Eye and was married to a wife far younger than himself His Master and Mistresse did love him as well as any Man of his rank in all their House which was the occasion that he could not see his Wife as often as he would who in his absence did so much forget her honour and her conscience that she fell in love with a young Gentleman by reason whereof the report at last was so hot and so current that her Husband was advertised of it who could not believe it by reason of the great signes of Love which his Wife did shew unto him Neverthelesse one day he determined with himself to make experience of it and if he could to revenge himself on that person who had brought this shame upon him To accomplish his design he pretended to go to a certain place not far from home for three or four dayes He was no sooner departed but his Wife sent to her Friend to acquaint him with it who was not with her above half an hour but behold her Husband was returned and knocked aloud at the Gate She who knew him told her Friend of it who was so amazed and put into such a fright that he could wish himself again in the belly of his Mother and cursed both her and her love who had brought him into so much danger but she assured him that he needed not trouble himself for she would find a means to get him safe forth undiscovered and without the least disgrace and desired him to put on his cloaths with what speed he could In the mean time her Husband continued knocking at the Gate and called upon his Wife as loud as he could but she seemed not to take notice that it was be and spake aloud to the Groom within Why do you not rise and answer those who make such a noise at the Gate Is this an hour of the night for any one to come into an honest house If my Husband were at home he would make you to look a little more about you The Husband hearing the voice of his Wife did call unto her as loud as he could Wise open the door will you have me stay here untill morning when she perceived that her Sweet-heart was quite dressed and readie to go she opened the door and said unto her Husband My dear Husband how glad am I of your comming for I was in a marvellous Dream and was so well pleased that I never received the like content before for me thoughts that you had recovered the sight of your other Eye and in imbracing and kissing him she took him by the head and putting her hand upon that Eye with which he did see she asked him Tell me doe you not see better far than you were accustomed to doe and in the mean time whiles he could not see one wink she did let her friend go out of the door of which her husband immediatly had a doubt and said unto her My Wife By God I will never watch you any more for in thinking to deceive you I have the finest trick put upon me by you that I think ever was invented God amend you for it is not in the power of any man alive to put a stop to the desires of a woman unlesse he should kill her out-right But since the good entertainment I have given you cannot conduce to reclaim you my neglect and contempt of you for the time to come shall peradventure be some chastisement to you And speaking those words he departed from her leaving her perplexed and disconsolate enough who by the means of her friends and kinred and by her tears and excuses was afterwards reconciled unto him By this you may perceive my Ladies how prompt and how subtle a woman is to escape a danger and if her spirit can readily find a remedy to cover and conceal a fault I believe it is not impossible but that one day it may be as fine and forward to perform some good For the good spirit as I have often heard is evermore the strongâ—st Hircan made answer to her you may talk what you will of the subtilty of Women but I have such an opinion of you that if you had been taken in the same fault you could not tell which way to conceal it She made answer I had rather you should esteem me the veryest fool in the world than to be found in such a conditioÌ„ I do not mean so said Hircan but I conceive you to be such a one as would be rather amazed at the misfortune than be so cunning to contrive the means to conceal it You think said Nomerfide that every one is like to you to cover one Error with another but there is great danger that in the end the foundation to sustain the covertures would be so much overcharged that it would desâ—â—oy the whole building But if you conceive that the subtilty of men with which you all think your selves to be all sufficiently furnished to be greater than the subtilties of women I will willingly give you my place to give unto us some account thereof and if you will propound your self for an example I do believe that you could shew us instances enough I am not here said Hircan to make my self worse than I am although I believe here are some that think hardly enough of me Speaking those words he did look upon his wife who incontinently said unto him Be not afraid to speak the truth for me for it will be more pleasing to me to bear of your prancks than to see them acted before me howsoever there is nothing that can make me to diminish the love I bear unto you Hircan made answer I will not here complain of all those false opinions which you have had of me but because we know one another so well it will be the occasion of the greater surety for the time to come However I am not so great a fool to rehearse any History of my self the truth whereof might compasse any discontent unto you but I will tell you one of a personage who is indeed one of my friends A Merchant of Paris deceived the Mother of his Sweet-heart to cover their fault The Seventh Novell IN the City of Paris there was a Merchant who loved the Daughter of his Neighbour or to speak more properly who was a greater Friend to her than she was to her self for the semblance he did make to love and court her was only in relation to a love more high and honourable But she who consented to have her self deceived did love him so passionatly that she had forgot the fashion by which Maids are accustomed to deny young men The Merchant having a long time taken pains to go and wait upon her did now make her come where he pleas'd to wait upon him of which her Mother had notice
being a very virtuous Gentlewoman did command her to speak no more unto the Merchant for if she found she did she would put her into a Religious house But the young girl who loved the Merchant more than she scared her mother did grow more fond of him than before It so fell out that being one day in the wardrop the Merchant came unto her who finding her in a commodious place began to speak unto her as privatly as possibly he could but one of her Chamber-maids seeing him come in did run to her mother to acquaint her with it who in a great choler made hast into the wardrop when her Daughter did hear her coming she spake with tear in her eys unto the Merchant Alas â—y dear friend I shall at this time pay dearly for the love I bear unto you Behold my Mother is at the Door who will now well discover that which she hath always feared and doubted the Merchant was nothing perplexed at it but immediatly did leave her and did goe unto her Mother and stretching out his arms he took her into them and did imbrace her as closely as possibly he could in the same heat as he began to entertain her Daughter he threw her Mother upon the Couch who found the manner of it so strange unto her that she knew not what to say unto him but only Rise up for Gods sake what do you make account to do but for all that he did not forbear to press so close upon her as if she had bin the youngest the handsomâ—st Lady in the world had it not been that she cryed out so loud that her grooms and chamber-maids came to her succour she had passed the same way her self in which she feared that her Daughter walked wherefore by fine strength they forced the poor old woman from between the Arms of the Merchant and neither could she nor ever afterwards did she know the reason why the Merchant so much ruffled her During this warm entertainment her Daughter saved her self in a house hard by where a marriage was solemnized in which the Merchant and they have since oftentimes made good mirth at it at the costs of the old woman who never perceived any thing By this Ladies you may see that the subtilty of a Man both deceived an old Woman and saved the honour of a young one but he that should name the persons to you or set forth in their true colours the Countenance of the Merchant or the Amazement of the Old Woman must have some great burden of horror upon his Conscience if he could refrain from laughing I sufficeth me that by this History I prove unto you that the Craft and Ingenuity of Men is as ready and helpfull at need as that of Women to the end Ladies that you may not be afraid to fall into their hands for when your spirits shall fail you theirs shall be ready to protect your honours Longaren said unto him Hircan I must confess that this Account is very pleasant and the subtilty great but this is not an Example which either Maids or Wives ought to follow I do believe that there are some whom you may perswade to think well of it but you are not such a fool to have your own Wife or her whose honour above all pleasures you prefer to play at that game I do believe that there is not one who would set a more narrow watch or would better order them than your self Upon my credit said Hircan If she of whom you speak should do the like and I were not assured of it I should esteem never the lesse of her Parlament could not contain her self from saying It is impossible for a man doing evil himself not to be suspitious but thrice happy is he who gives no occasion to be suspected Longaren said I have never seen a great fire from whence there proceeded no smoak but I have often seen a great smoak in which there hath been no fire A person is suspected to be evil but by such as are evil and oftentimes we are thought to be such as indeed we are not Hircan said Truly Longaren you have spoken so well in maintaining the honour of Ladies unjustly suspected that I give you my voice but not to speak so as to make us weep as Madam Oysilla hath done in her praises of a good Woman Longaren beginning to laugh out-right said Because you have a desire that I should make you laugh according to my Custom it shall not be to the prejudice of Women and so will I speak that I may represent how easie they are to he deceived when they set their fancy upon jealousie with a true estimation of their good Intentions in their honest attempts to deceive their Husbands A certain Man having lain with his Wife instead of his Chamber-maid did send his Neighbour to her who made him a Cuckold and his Wife perceived nothing at all The eighth Novell IN the County of Albez there was a man named Borner who had espoused a virtuous Woman and of good fortunes whose honour and reputation he did much cherish as all men there are most tender of their Wives and although he would have his Wife to preserve her Loyalty to him yet he would not that the same law should be equally observed betwixt them both for he fell in love with his Chambermaid in the change of whom for his Wife he feared nothing but that diversity of Viands would not be agreeable He had a Neighbor of his own complexion whose name was Saunders a Drummer and a Taylor and so great was the friendship betwixt them that in all things they did partake with one another but in their Wives only Wherfore he declared to his friend the design he had upon his Chamber-maid who not onely did like it well but with all his endeavours did assist him in the performance hoping to have his share in the booty The Chamber-maid who by no means would consent unto him finding her self oppressed with so many sollicitations did acquaint her Mistâ—esse with it and besought her to give her leave to go unto her Kinred for she said she could live no longer in that torment Her Mistresse who loved her Husband most intirely and was a litle jealous of him was very glad that she had gained this advantage on him and that she justly could demonstrate that unto hm which she so much doubted of wherefore she said unto her Be content good Wench and by little and little entertain my Husband with good words and promises and afterwards you may assign him the place to be privat with you in my Wardrobe but do not fail to acquaint me with the night in which he is to come and have a care that you tell no body of it The Chamber-maid did accordingly as her Mistresse did command her of which her Master was so glad that he repaired to his Companion to tell him what a Feast he was promised who intreated
But observing that his wife was throughly mov'd at the love which he did bear to his Chamber-maid he did forbear to acquaint her with the evil turn that he had done her and asking pardon of her he did faithfully promise to abandon all-together his idle course of life This being done he gave back unto her the Ring which he had taken from his Companion whom he intreated not to reveal his shame to any But as all things whispered in the car are preached upon the House-top so not long afterward the truth was known and he was called Cuckold without any disgrace unto his wife Ladies I believe that if all those who have committed the like offences should endure the same punishment Hircan and Saffradant would be in a great fear and danger And why so Longaren said Saffredant Are there none married in this Company but only Hircan and my self There are said she but none that do play at such a Game When or where have you seen said Saffredant that we have made Chamber-maids of our Wives If the Ladies whom it concerneth would speak the truth said Longaren there may be found of their Chambermaids who have been gon from them before the Quarter day Truly said Guebron Are not you a strange Lady who instead of making the Company to laugh according to your promise do put these two poor Gentlemen into a choler T is all one said Longaren as long as it proceeds not to the drawing of swords their choler shall but double our laughter Let it pass said Hircan But if our wives were so rash as to believe his Lady she would move the most temperate of them unto Jealousie I know well enough before whom I speak said Longaren for their Ladies are so discreet and so intirely do affect them that although we should make them horns as great as those of a Stagg yet they would perswade themselves and the world also that they were Chaplets of Roses At that the Company and they themselves whom most nearly it did concern did begin to laugh so heartily that for the present they could not speak a word Dagoucin who had yet been silent could no longer contain himself and said That Man is unreasonable who having wherewith to content himself will search after other things for I have often seen that thinking to fare better and not to content themselves with their own sufficiency Men do fall into the worst of all when it is too late to complain for inconstancy is always to be disproved Simontault said unto him But what think you of those who have not yet found out their half part of love Do you call it inconstancy to seek for it in every place where it is to be found Dagoucin made answer Because a Man cannot tell what that â—alf part is whose union is so equal that the one differeth not from the other it is requisite that we should stay there where Love constraineth and whatsoever the temptation may be to change neither the heart nor the will for if she whom you love be so like unto you that she is of the same will the same desire with you It is your self whom you love rather than her Hircan replyed Dagoucin I will affirm That if our love be founded upon beauty complexion fashion or the favour of a woman and the end of that love be for pleasure honour or for profit the love cannot long continue for if that on which we doe ground our love prove defective the love will suddenly decay but I am confident in my Judgement that he who loveth hath no other end or desire but to be beloved and will rather lose his life than his love Upon my faith said Simontault I do not believe Dagoucin that you were ever in love for if you had known that fire as well as others you would not here have given us a description of Plato's Commonwealth which he did write of onely and had no other experience of it If I ever did love said Dagoucin I do love still and will love as long as I live but I have so great a fear that the expression of my love shall not be answerable to the perfection of it thaâ— I forbear to speak of it lest she from whom I do desire thâ— like height of love should not understand me according 〈◊〉 the absolutenesse of it as indeed it is And I dare not think my own thoughts for fear my eyes should reveal something of them For the more that I keep this fire concealed and covered the more doth the pleasure increase in me to find that I love so perfectly Shall I not believe then said Guebron that you would be glad to be beloved I do not say the contrary said Dagoucin but when I shall be so well beloved as I do love our love shall be so great that it shall not know how to increase nor be capable either of extension or diminution And till I find that love I shall be carefull how I do reveal it Parlament who suspected whither that fancy tended said unto him Take heed Dagoucin to your self for I have seen others who had rather die than confesse their loves Those said Dagoucin do esteem themselves to be thrice happy I said Saffredant and worthy to be put in the Chronicle of Innocents of whom the Church speaketh Non loquendo sed moriendo confessi sunt I have heard much Discourse of these extasies of love but never yet have I seen any one to die for Love And because I have escaped all the torments that love can afflict and have seen as I conceive the utmost of his tyranny on others I am of opinion that no man can die for love Say you so Saffredant said Dagoucin and would you be beloved because none of your opinion do die for love I can reckon a whole Catalogue to you of those who died of no other disease than of too violent a love Because you are so well experienced in the stories of them I will give you my voice said Longaren to give us an account of one which shall make the Ninth of this Journall To the end said Dagoucin that my true History followed with signs and miracles should work a faith into you to believe it I will in this place recite unto you what to my knowledge did happen about three years ago The Lamentable Death of a Gentleman in Love who too late received comfort of her whom he affected The ninth Novell BEtween Dauphin and Provence there lived a Gentleman more rich in virtue beauty and in courtesie than in the goods of Fortune who most intirely loved a young Gentlewoman whose Name I will not rehearse in respect unto her Kinred who are descended of good and great Families but you may assure your selves that the Story is most true and because he was not descended of so great a house as she was he durst not discover his affection to her for the extreme love which he did bear unto her
swear unto him that it should be performed and desired him with confidence to demand it Whereupon he said unto the Mother of the young Lady I do beseech you that you would give her in my arms whom you do promise shall be my Wife and that you do command her to embrace and kisse me The young Lady who was not accustomed to such familiarities did make some difficulty of it but her Mother expresly did command her seeing he had lost both the understanding and the force of a living Man On that Command the Daughter did advance her self upon the bed of the poor sick Gentleman and said unto him My old Friend I pray you to be frolick The poor Gentleman sanguishing in his extreme weaknesse stretched forth his arms despoyled of flesh and blood and with all the force of his body embraced the Cause of his Death and kissing her with his pale and cold lips did hold her close unto him as long as possibly he could and said unto her The love which I have born unto you hath been so great and virtuous that Mariage excepted I never desired of you any other happinesse than what I now enjoy for the event whereof and in this possession of it I with joy shall commend my Spirit unto God who being himself perfect love and charity doth know the greatnesse of my love and the honesty of my desires beseeching him having now my desires in my arms that he would receive my Spirit into his arms And speaking those words he took her again into his arms and with so much vehemence that his weak heart could not endure the strength of his love which was immediately immediately abandoned of all the faculties of life for his Joy was so much dilated that the seat of the Soul failed which did fly to her Creator And although the poor body continued a long time without liâ—e and therefore could no longer possesse the rich prise it so lately gained yet the love which the young Lady had till then concealed did now so violently declare it self that the mother of the living and the servants of the dead had much to do to separate the union and were at last enforced to pull the living almost dead from him who was already dead whom they did honourably interr but the greatest triumph of his obsequies were the tears the sighs and the complaints of the poor young Lady who declaâ—ed her self as much after his death as she concealed her self in his lâ—fe and now as it were satisfied for the injury she had done him And since as I have heard it reported the Husband that was given her to take off from himself thoughts of melancholy could never be entertained with any true joy or comfort of heart You may see here Gentlemen what before you would not believe by my words This Example is sufficient to make you confesse that a true and perfect love being too long concealed or misprised doth bring us as low as death There is none of you who know not the friends and kinred both of the one side and the other wherefore you need not to make any doubt of it and there is no man who hath made experience of it but will believe The Ladies hearing it had every one of them tears in their eyes But Hircan said unto them This is the veryest fool that ever Theaâ—d speak for tell me on your own credit is it likely or reasonable that we should die for women who are made for us and that we should be afraid to ask them what God hath enjoyned them to give unto us I speak not for my self nor for any man here that is married for I have enough of a woman or rather more than will serve my turn but for those only who are in necessity who in my opinion are but fools to be in fear of those whom they ought to make afraid Do you not observe the sorrow which this young Lady suffer'd for her folly for since she imbraced a dead body a thing repugnant to Nature she would not have refused his living body if he had shewed as great boldnesse living as dying be moved pitty Neverthelesse said Oysilla The Gentleman in this made an excellent Remonstrance of the love and civility he did bear her for which he shall be commended throughout the whole world for to find chastity in an amorous heart is a thing more divine than belonging unto man Madam said Saffredant to confirm the opinion of Hircan from whom I differ noâ— I must intreat you to believe me that Fortune doth assist the bold spirit and that there is no man if he be beloved by a Lady but if he can but wisely and affectionately follow his sute will in the end receive all that which he demandeth or at the least in part But Ignorance and a faint heart do cause men to â—ose many brave adventures and then they ground their losse upon the virtue of their Mistresse whom they never did attempt for never was there a place that hath been gallantly assaulted but it hath been taken I do much worder at you two said Parlament that you dare maintain this discourse Surely those whom you have loved have either not held you long or the assault bath been made on so advantagious a place that you think all Women alike Madam said Saffredant As for my self I am so unfortunate that I have no reason to make any boast but I impute not my misfortune to any virtue of the Ladies but to my own defects in having either not wisely begun oâ— too rashly prosecuted my Design and I will allege the old Romant of the Rose instead of many Doctors which saith we are merry Girls and Boys no doubt all alike the Boys for the Girls and the Girls for the Boys Wherefore I do believe that if love be once in the heart of a woman the man may arrive unto his ends if he be not sottishly overseen Parlament said And if I shall tell you of a Lady of a gallant personage that did love and was sollicited and importuned and neverthelesse deported her self most virtuously and was victorious over her own body and her friend will you say that a true thing is impossible Yes said he You are hard of Faith said Parlament if you believe not this example Dagoucin said unto her Madam since I have proved by example the virtuous love of a Gentleman even unto death I must intreat you if you do know any like unto it in the honour of some Lady that you will be pleased to rehearse it for the end of this days journey and you need not fear to be too long for we have yet time enough to speak of many honest Subjects Since the last lot falls to my share said Parlament I will hold you in a long discourse for my History is so good so fair and so true that it seems long unto me until I make you partakers of it and that you know it as well as
my self And although I am no eye-witnesse of it yet it hath been repeated to me by one of my greatest and most entire friends in the world to the praise and honour of her whom he most affected in the world who conjur'd me that if ever I should come to give any others an account of it that I would change the names of the persons The story I dare assure you is all true the Names the Places and the Country only excepted The Love of Amadour and Florinda wherein is contained many great subtilities and dissimulations and the admirable chastity of Florinda The Tenth Novell IN Aragon in the County of Arand there was a Lady who although very young was the widdow of the Count of Arand she had by him one Son and a Daughter called Florinda The said Lady did bring up her Children in all virtues and honourable exercises which belong to Lords and Ladies insomuch that her house was accounted to be one of the most honourable in all Spain She resorted oftentimes to Toledo where the King of Spain did keep his Court and when she came to Saragossa which was not far from her own house she stayed long with the Queen and was as highly esteemed in her Court as any Lady could be Upon a time according to her custome repairing to the King who was then in Sarragossa in his Castle of Iuissur this Lady in her way passed by a village which belonged to the Viceroy of Catalonia who stirred not from the frontires of Perpignan by reason of the great wars which were then betwixt the King of France and himself but at that time there was peace insomuch that the Vice-roy with all his Captains were come to do reverence to the King The Vice-roy understanding that the Countesse of Arand did passe through the Land of his Jurisdiction did go to meet her as well for the antient love he did bear unto her as for the honour of being a Kinswoman of the Kings The Vice-roy had in his company many gallant Gentlemen who by the long exercise of their arms had acquired so much Fame and Honour that those thought themselves happy that could see them and enjoy their company Amongst others there was one called Amadour who although he was not of above eighteen or nineteen years of age had so assured a grace of Deportment and so excellent an understanding that amongst a thousand he was thought most worthy to govern a Kingdome It is true that his understanding was accompanied with so great and so sweet a beauty that there was not any ey which conveyd not down to the heart a more than ordinary pleasure to behold him and so excellent a discourse did accompany his exquisite beauty that it could not be known to which to give most honour either to the gracefulnesse of his beauty or the excellency of his elocution But that which made him most esteemed was his height of Courage the fame whereof was increased by his youth for in many places he made so many gallant demonstrations of it that not only Spain but also France and Italy did highly esteem his virtues for in all the wars wherein ever he was he was always prodigal of his blood and proud of danger and when his own Country was in peace he did seek out Forein wars and was beloved and esteemed both by his Friends and Enemies This Gentleman for the love of his Captain was now in this land where the Countesse of Arand was arrived and beholding the beauty and gracefulnesse of her Daughter who was not then twelve years of age he thought with himself that she was the most fair and most accomplished creature that ever he beheld and if he could but obtain her favour he should be more satisfied than with all the pleasures and profits that he might receive from any other After he had a long time looked upon her he determined with himself to love her whatsoever impossibility there was on the contrary both in regard of the Illustrious Family from whence she was descended and the tendernesse of her age which as yet could not understand his Courtship Against these fears he fortisied himself with hope and promised to himself that at the last Time and Patience would bring a happy end unto his labours From that time Gentle love who without any other occasion but freely by his own force had entred into the heart of Amadour did promise him favour and opportunity to arrive unto the end of his desires and to provide for the greatest difficulties which was the distance of the Country where he lived and the small occasions he had to see Florinda he determined but against the first resolution he had taken to marry one of the Ladies of Barcelona or of Perpignan amongst whom by reason of the Wars he was so conversant that he seemed rather to be a Catalonian than a Castilian although he was born not far from Toledo and was descended of a rich and honourable family but because he was but a younger Brother he had no great patrimonies to inherit So it was that Love and Fortune seeing him abandoned of his Kinred did determine to make a Master-piece of him and by the means of his Virtues gave him that which the Laws of his Country did deny him He was singularly experienced in the feats of War and so well beloved by all Lords and Princes that he oftentimes refused their gifts which he never took any thought to demand The Countesse of which I told you did come accordingly unto Sarragossa and was magnisicently entertained by the King and all the Court The Governour of Catalonia came oftentimes to visit her and Amadour never failed to accompany him for the pleasure he received to speak unto Florinda And that he might better understand himself and what Company did frequent unto the house he addressed himself to the daughter of an antient Cavalier called Avanturade who was one of the next neighbors She from her Youth had been brought up with Florinda insomuch that she knew all which was hidden in her heart Amadour as well for the honesty he found in her as for that she had three thousand Duckets to her portion did resolve to entertain her as that person whom he would espouse to which she did lend a willing ear but because he was but poor and the Father of the Damfell rich she thought that he would never agree unto the Marriage unlesse it were by the means of the Countesse of Arand Wherupon she addressed her self to Florinda and said unto her Madam You have seen the Castilian Gentleman who oftentimes doth here speak to me I do believe what he doth pretend which is to take me in Mariage You know what a father I have who will never give way unto it if he be not sollicited to it by Madam the Countesse and your self Florinda who loved the Maid as her self did assure her that she would take that affair upon her and lay it as neer her
have seen And whatsoever I thought would be pleasing to you I have sought it with all my power you see How I have procured the good opinion of the Countess your Mother of the Count your Brother and of all those whom you doe love in a manner that in this house I am not taken so much to be a Servant as a Child and all the travel that for these five years I have undertaken hath been to live all the remainder of my life with you And you must understand that I am none of those who by this means presume to enjoy any pleasure or profit by you but what shall be virtuous I know well enough and am confident that I can never marry you and if I could I would not do the least Injury to the love which you bear to him whom I desire to see your Husband To prosecute you with a vicious love as those who hope for some recompence for their service by the dishonor of their Mistresses I am so far from that that I had rather see you dead than to know you lesse worthy to be beloved or that virtue was abated in you for any pleasure that could arive to me For the end and recompence of all my service I doe desire only but one thing which is that you will be so constant a Mistress to me that you will never remove me from your favours and continue me in the degree in the which I am reposing more confidence in me than in any other and having this assurance that if for your honour or any thing that doth concern you you shall need the life of a Gentleman mine shall be imployed with all my heart for you In like manner that all honest and virtuous things that I shall doe shall be done onely for the love of you And if for Ladies of a far lower condition than your self I have performed deeds that have highly been esteemed be you assured that for such a Mistresse my enterprizes shall be doubled so that those things which before I left off as difficult and impossible shall now become easie to me But if you will not accept me to be altogether yours I have resolved with my self to leave off the Exercise of Arms and to bid Adieu to Virtue that hath not helped me at my need Wherefore Madam I most humbly beseech you that my just sute may be granted to me which neither your Honor nor your Conscience can deny The young Lady hearing those words so unusuall to her did begin to change her colour and held down her eyes as a Woman astonished Howsoever being of a ready and a great understanding she said unto him Since it is so Seignior Amadour that you demand that of me which you have already how doth it come about that you have made unto me so long an Oration I have so great a fear that under your honest words there are some ill Intentions hid to deceive the Ignorance of my youth that I am in a great perplexity to answer you For if I should deny that honest love which you offer me I should do contrary to that which hitherto I have done who do put more confidence in your self than in all the Men in the world Neither my Conscience nor my Honor do contradict your Demand nor the love which I do bear to the son of the Infant Fortunate for that love is grounded upon Marriage to which you can have no pretence I know nothing that may withhold me from giving you an answer according to your desire but onely Fear which invades my heart grounded on the small occasion you have to begin this Discourse for if you have already that which you demand what is it doth constrain you to speak so affectionatly Amadour who now was not without an answer said unto her Madam you speak most wisely and do me so much Honour by the Confidence which you say you repose in me that if I should not content my self with this happinesse I should be unworthy of any other But you are to understand Madam that he who would raise a lasting edifice ought to regard that he doth lay a sure foundation therefore I who desire to continue perpetually in your service do not only look upon the means to keep me near unto you but also to hinder what I can that the great affection which I bear unto you may not be discovered For though it be so honest that the least sin cannot be found in it yet so it is that those who know not the hearts of true lovers do oftentimes judge against the truth and from hence proceed so many ill reports the events whereof have been so mischievous The cause which hath enforced me to speak and to declare this unto you is Paulina who doth so strongly suspect me perceiving in her own heart that I cannot love her that in all places wheresoever I do come she is alwayes with a watchfull eye looking stedfastly on my face and when you come to speak familiarly unto me before her I have so great a fear to give some sign by which she might ground some bad construction that I am ready to fall into an Inconvenience from which I would fain keep my self so that I have conceived it expedient to beseech you That before her and such creatures as she is you would not be pleased to speak so suddenly unto me for I had rather by far be out of the world than any one alive should have the least knowledge of it And were it not for the love which I owe unto your Honour I should not have taken this resolution to speak these words unto you for I am sufficiently happy in the love and confidence you have in me without demanding any thing more but onely your continuation of it At these words Florinda received so great content that she could not indure a greater and began to feel in her heart something more than before she was accustomed to find and considering the honest reasons he alleged she told him That Virtue and Honour had made answer for her and did accord to that which he desired If Amadour was not joyfull of this assurance I leave it to those to judge who have been themselves in love But Florinda began to follow his counsel more than he desired for she who was fearfull did not only forbear to speak unto him before Paulina but also before all others and in this discontinuance of Discourse she began her self to suspect the frequent communication which Amadour had with Paulina who did like it very well and now did confidently beleeve that Amadour did love her Florinda to passe away this sorrow did daily entertain Aventurade who began to be very jealous of her Husband and Paulina and oftentimes did complain of it to Florinda who did comfort her the best she cold being one who was infected her self with the same Disease Amadour quickly perceived by the Countenance of Florinda that not only she estranged her self
House of the Countesse of Arand I will leave unto you to imagine what was the discourse which Amadour and Florinda had between themselves and of the complaints they made of the sorrows they had suffered in the absence of one another After a floud of tears from Florinda's eyes for the grief she entertained as much that she was married against her heart as that she had lost him whom so intirely she did love and was out of hope ever to see him alive again she resolved with her self to take comfort in the love and the assurance which she had of Amadour which neverthelesse she durst not declare unto him but he who debated with himself what to do did lose neither time nor occasion to make her understand how great was the love which he did bear unto her Just on the time as she was almost gained to receive him not as a servant but for her best and most assured friend there fell out a wonderfull Accident For the King on some businesse of great Importance did immediately send for Amadour for which his Wife did take so great a grief that in hearing of the News she swouned away and falling down the stairs on which she stood she hurt her self so grievously that she never did rise up again Florinda who in her Death did lose all her comfort did make so great a Lamentation as she could do who found her self destitute both of her Friends and Kinred and Amadour took it as much to heart for on the one side he lost one of the most honest Women that ever lived and on the other he lost the means ever to be able to see Florinda again by reason whereof he fell into so great a sicknesse that he thought that immediately he should die The old Dutchesse of Cardona did visit him uncessantly and alleged to him some Reasons from Philosophy to cause him with Patience to endure that Death but nothing would serve for if Death on the one side did torment him Love on the other did encrease his Martyrdom Amadour observing that his wife was interred and that the Goverour had sent for him and that it was impossible to pretend an excuse to continue where he was entertained such a despair in his heart that he thought he should have lost his life with his understanding Florinda who was in a desolation her self to comfort him did come unto him one day after dinner to administer unto him the best words of comfort that she could hoping thereby to abate the greatnesse of his grief assuring him that in what place soever he was she would find the means to see him and oftner than he conceived And because he was to be gone the next morning and was for the present so weak that he did keep his bed he did beseech her that after every one was departed from him she would be pleased to give him a visit in the Evening which she accorded to being ignorant that the extremity of Love doth know no reason and he who saw no hope left ever to see her again whom for so long a time he had served and who never had received any entertainment from her but what you have heard was so assaulted with his love a long time dissembled and with despair that did present unto him that it was almost impossible for him to see her again that he did resolve with himself to play with her either Double or Quit either to lose all or to win all and in one hour to pay himself with that which he thought he had so well deserved For this purpose he commanded that the Curtains should be drawn close about his bed that those who came into the Chamber might not see him and complained far more than he was accustomed to do insomuch that those of the House did think he could not live four and twenty hours longer In the Evening after every one had been with him Florinda at the request of her own Husband did repair unto him deliberating with her self the more to comfort him to declare unto him her affection and that she would love him altogether and none but him as far as her honour would permit and sitting in a chair near to the tester of Amadours bed she did begin to comfort him by weeping with him Amadour seeing her filled with lamentation thought that in that trouble of her mind he could most easily arrive to the end of his intention and rising up in his bed Florinda thought that he was in some extasie being too far spent and with all the eyes of sorrow began to look upon him who kneeling on his knees did say unto her And must I for ever lose the sight of you and speaking those words he did let himself fall into her arms just like a man that swouned away Poor Florinda did imbrace him and held him up a pretty while doing the uttermost of her desires to comfort him but this Physick which she gave him to amend his grief did render his power more strong for in counterfeiting himself half dead and speachless he began to search after that which the honour of Women doth forbid to be found When Florinda perceived his ill intention she could not believe it and remembring the most civil and vertuous discourse that had always passed betwixt them she said unto him What is it you would have But Amadour fearing to hear her words which he knew would be no other but chast and honest returned no answer at all but pursued his intention with all the force he had whereat Florinda being amazed suspected that he was our of his wits and would rather have conceived any thing of him than that he attempted to dishonor her Wherefore she spake aloud and called unto a Gentleman whom she knew to be in a Chamber hard by whereat Amadour being throughly amazed did throw himself upon the bed and that so suddenly that the Gentleman believed that he had been dead Florinda who was risen up from the chair said unto him Go quickly and bring hither some good Vinegar which the Gentleman did who being departed Florinda began to say unto him Amadour what folly hath possessed your understanding And what is that which you thought and would have donâ— Amadour who by the force of Love had lost all his reason did say unto her Doth so long a service as is mine deserve to be rewarded with such a cruelty Florinda replyed And where is now the Honour concerning which so many times you have preached to me O Madam said Amadour It seems to me impossible to love your Honour more perfectly than I have done For when you were to marry I knew so well to master my heart that you never understood my Desires but now since you are marryed and your Honour may be concealed What wrong do I do unto you to demand that of you which is my own for by the force of love I have gained you He who first had your heart was so cold a Suiter
to your body that he deserved to lose both together He who doth now possesse your body is not worthy to have your heart wherfore neither is your Body his nor can it properly appertain unto him But I Madam for the continued space of five or six years have endured so much love and travel for you that you cannot be ignorant that both your heart and your body do pertain to me for which I have so often hazarded my own And if you think to defend your self by Conscience be you assured that those who have proved the power of Love will lay all the blame upon you who have so ravished my liberty from me and by your divine perfections blinded my understanding that for the time to come not knowing what to do I am constrained to be gone from you without any hope of ever seeing you again Neverthelesse you may be most confident that in any part of the World wheresoever I shall be whether it be on the Sea or on the Land or in the hands of my most cruel Enemies you shall have my heart which shall continue for ever yours And if before my departure I could have that assurance from you which my great love doth merit I should be made strong to endure with patience the affliction of my long absence And if you please not to grant me my request you will quickly hear it spoken that your cruelty hath given me an unhappy Death Florinda being transported with as much sorrow as amazement to hear these words to proceed from him of whom she had never the least suspition did reply in tears unto him And woe is me now Amadour Are these the effects of the virtuous Discourses which from my Youth hither to we have had together Is this the Honour of Conscience which so oftentimes you have counselled me rather to die than to abandon Have you forgotten the great Examples you have instanced to me of so many excellent Ladies who have resisted that foolish Love Have you forgotten the neglect which you your self have had of light and inconstant Ladies I cannot beleeve O Amadour that you should be so far from your self or that God your Conscience and my Honour should be all dead in you But if it be accordingly as you speak I blesse the Divine goodnesse which hath prevented the mischief into which I headlong was falling by shewing me by your words your heart of which I was so much ignorant for having lost the Son of the Infant Fortunate not only by being married my self unto another but because I found and sufficiently understood that he loved another Lady and seeing my self married to one whom I cannot love and that let me do what I can he cannot be agreeable unto me I considered and intirely resolved with my self to love you with all my heart and affections grounding my love upon the Virtue which I have found in you and which by your means I have in some measure attain'd my self which is to love my Honour and my Conscience more than my life To this rock of Honour I am come where I was confident I should find a most sure foundation but in one moment Amadour you have shewn me that in the place of a Rock sure as I thought and beautifull the foundation of the building is upon loose and uncertain Sands or upon a soft and ruinous Bogg And although I had already begun a great part of the building where I resolved to have made my perpetual residence you on the sudden have overthrown it Wherefore you ought by degrees to forsake all hopes which you have promised to your self of me and to resolve with your self that in whatsoever place you see me not to court me at all either by words or countenance And be not so vain to hope that I either can or will ever change my thoughts I speak them to you with so much sorrow that it is impossible it should be greater but if I had proceeded so far as to have sworn unto you perfect love I do well perceive my heart to be such that it would have been dead within me in this rupture although the amazement that is upon me to be deceived by you is so great that I am confident it will render my life either short or dolorous And on these words I do bid you Adieu for ever I will not here undertake to tell you the grief which entred into the heart of Amadour hearing these words for it is not only impossible for a pen to expresse it but for a heart to conceive it unlesse it be such a heart who by experience hath found the like And observing on that â—â—el conclusion that she was going away he did stay her by the arm knowing very well that if he should not take from her again that evil opinion of him which he had caused her to entertain he should lose her for ever wherefore he said unto her with the most dejected countenance that he could put on Madam Through the whole travels of my life I have desired to love a virtuous Lady and because I have found so few I thought good to make experience to see if by your virtue you were as worthy to be esteemed as you are to be loved which now I understand for certain and I thank God who hath put it into my heart to love such great perfection beseeching you to pardon that foolish and presumptuous enterpise and the rather because it turns to your honour and to my great contentment Florinda who by him did begin to understand the subtility of men as she was difficult to believe the Evil in which he was so she was more difficult to believe the Good in which he was not did say unto him I would to God that you did speak the truth but I am not so ignorant but the estate of Mariage in which I am doth make me clearly enough to understand that a blind and a violent passion did make you to do that which you have done for if God had suffered me to let loose my hand I am sure enough that you would have gone away with the bridle Those Signior Amadour who make it their businesse to follow virtue must not tread in that path in which you would go But it is enough that heretofore I have lightly believed any Good in you it is now time that I should know the truth which doth deliver me from you And speaking those words she departed out of the Chamber and did weep away that night finding so great a grief in this change that her heart had enough to do to sustain the assaults of sorrow which love had given her For although according to her Reason she resolved never to love him more yet he heart which now was not subject to the rules of Reason would not consent unto it wherefore being not able to love him lesse than she was accustomed to do and knowing that love was the occasion of that defect she determined with
bring And having spoke these words she took her leave of him Her Mother who observed her Countenance knew not what to judge of it but after that time she perceived plainly that her Daughter did no more affect Amadour and concluded thereupon that she was of a crosse disposition and hated all those things which she loved and from that hour did carry her self so strangely to her that she spoke not one word to her in seven years together unlesse it were to chide her and all this was at the request of Amadour During this time Florinda turned the fear which she had to be with her Husband into a desire to be never from him only thereby to avoid the rigour of her Mother But seeing that nothing would prevail she resolved with her self to be even with Amadour and for two or three dayes together looking upon him with a more pleasing countenance she counselled him to hold discourse of love with a Lady who she said had spoken very liberally of theirs This Lady was in the Court of the Queen of Spain and was called Loretta she was proudly glad to have obtained such a Servant as Amadour and so great were the familiarities betwixt them that the report thereof was noised every where and the Countesse of Arand being at Court did her self perceive it wherefore afterwards she did not so much torment Florinda as she had been accustomed to do Florinda one day understood that the Captain the Husband of Loretta was possessed with so great a Jealousie that he was resolved by one means or other to kill Amadour Florinda who for all her dissembled countenance could carry no ill will in her heart to Amadour did immediately advertise him of it but he who was most easie to be drawn into his first train did make answer to her That if she pleased to entertain him but three hours in a day he would never speak to Loretta more which she would not consent unto Whereupon Amadour said unto her Since you will not have me to live wherefore do you deny me to dye unlesse you hope to give me more punishments by life than a thousand Deaths can afflict upon me But although Death doth flie me I will never leave looking after it untill I have found it for in Death onely I shall have Rest Whiles they were in this Conference news was received that the King of Granada had begun a most cruel War against the King of Spain insomuch that the King had sent thither the Prince his Son and with him the Constable of Castile and the Duke of Alba as two Adjunct of great trust and experience Whereupon the Duke of Cardona and the Earl of Arand would not stay behind and besought the King to assign them some charge in the Army which he did according to their Houses and appointed Amadour to be their Guide who during the War was so famous for his atchievments that they seemed rather to proceed from a desperat rashnesse than a well-grounded resolution and to give you the intention of my account I must inform you that his great Courage was approved to his Death For the Moors pretending that they would give battel to the Army of the Christians having better observed how it was marshalled and how great it was did make as though they fled and the Spaniards did follow them in the pursute but the old Constable and the Duke of Alba suspecting the Stratagem of the Moors with much importunity did withhold the Prince of Spain that he passed not the River which notwithstanding the Orders to the contrary the Count of Arand and the Duke of Cardona did and when the Moors saw that they were followed with so unconsiderable a number they did return upon them and with one blow of a Scemiter did Iay the Duke of Cardona dead upon the place and so wounded the Count of Arand that he fell to the Ground Upon this Defeat Amadour arrived so furious and enraged that with great slaughter he did break through the Army of the Moors and commanded the two Bodies of the Duke and of the Count to be taken up and to be brought into the Princes Camp who did so much lament their deaths as they had been his own Brothers But in beholding their wounds he found the Count of Arand yet living who was sent in a Litter to his own house where he continued a long time sick and on the other side the body of the young Duke was brought unto Cardona Amadour having done his endeavour to bring off these two Dukes did think so little of himself that he was suddenly invironed with a great number of the Moors and he who would no more be taken having lost his Mistress falsified not his faith which he made unto God her knowing That if he should be brought to the King of Granada that either he should cruelly die or renounce his Christianity he did resolve with himself to adde Glory to his Death and kissing the Crosse on the hilt of his sword rendring his Soul and Body to his Creator he did give himself so mortal a blow that there needed not a Second to dispatch him So dyed the poor Amadour and was as much lamented as his Virtues deserved The News thereof was immediately carried through all Spain insomuch that Florinda who was at Barcelona where her Husband was interred after that she had honourably performed the Funerals without speaking either to her own Mother or her Mother-in-Law or any other did render her self a Votaress in the Monastery of Jesus taking him for her Husband and her Friend who had delivered her from a love so vehement as that of Amadour and from a persecution so grievous as was the Company of her Husband She imployed all her affections to the love of God and that so perfectly that having lived a long time a religious life she surrendred her Soul to God with so much joy as the Espoused doth go to behold her Spouse Ladies I know that this long History doth prove tedious unto you all but if I should have satisfied him who first of all gave me the account I should have yet made it longer I must beseech you Ladies that in following the Example of the Virtues of Florinda you would abate a little of her cruelty and not at the first to believe so much Good of Men as by the acknowledgment of it to give them afterwards a cruel Death and to your selves a sorrowfull life After that Parlament had spoke so long she turning to Hircan said unto him It appeareth now plainly to you that this Lady was sollicited and importuned to the last and that most virtuousty she resisted No said Hircan For a woman cannot make the least resistance but by crying out and if she had been in a place where she could not be heard I know not what would have become of her And if Amadour had been more amorous and lesse fearfull he had not for so little have left off
Kinswomen and who knew not the humor of the Confessor began to be offended at him But after that they had heard him further they turned their scandal into laughter especially when he said That to eat the Paschal Lamb they must have girded their reins and their feet on their shooes and their hands in the staff The Frier observing them to laugh and doubting for what it was did immediately correct himself and well well said he their shooes then on their feet and a staff in their hands A hat white or a white hat is it not all one His auditors did fall all a-laughing at this and the Ladies themselves could not contain to whom he did apply himself with variety of such vain discourse and perceiving that his hour was almost out he was unwilling that the young Women should depart discontented from him he said therefore unto them And now my young Ladies I am sure that by and by you will in your prattle ask the Gossips that are with you What Mr. Frier is this that delivers himself so confidently this day Why I will tell you Ladies he is a good Fellow and be not you astonished be not I say though he talketh never so lowdly for I am of Anjou and at your service Ladies And speaking those words he did make an end of his Preachment by which he did leave his Auditors more ready to laugh at his foolish discourse than to weep in the memory of the Passion of our Saviour the Commemoration whereof was then to be solemnized His other Sermons during the said Feast of Easter were of the same efficacy And as you know well enough that these Brothers are very forward in their exhortations to receive their benevolences at Easter by which they have not onely their Eggs given them but many other things as odd Remnants of Linnen and Flax Puddings Gammons or Leggs of Bacon and Chines of Bacon and many other such small Collations Easter Tuesday being come when he was to make his Recommendations of which these people are alwayes liberal enough he directing his course again to the Women said Ladies I am bound to give you thanks for your liberality which you have shewed to our poor Covent but it is requisite that I speak plain unto you That you have not considered of the Necessities in which we stand for the greatest part of that which you have given us are Links and Puddings and God be praised we have no need of them our Covent is full of good Puddings already What shall we doe with them then would you know what Ladies I shall advise you then if you would but put your Gammons to our Puddings you would give us a good Alms indeed In this manner continuing his Sermon he gave a new occasion of offence and discoursed very briskly from above having instanced some Examples he did put himself into an Admiration and said My good Sirs and Ladies of St. Martins I am much astonished at you that you should make strange at that which is nothing and speaking of me to one another should say This is a strange Frier I will tell you what Suppose that a Monk should get the Daughter of his Hostesse with Child this would be some wonder that a Monk should get a Girl with Child but let us come to the point my Ladies Suppose that this Girl should get the Monk with Child why there would be your cause of wonder indeed See here my Ladies the Viands with which this gentle Pastor did nourish the flock of God And yet he is so impudent as still to go into the Pulpit where he ought not to make any discourse at all which is not wholly for the Instruction of his neighbours or the glory of God This was a Master-Frier in earnest said Saffredant I should love him as well as I do Frier Annebant on whose back I would put all the merry Discourse which can be delivered in a whole Parish Oysilla made answer I love not to have men laugh at such prophaneness especially in this Case Nomerfide replyed Madam it is not long ago if it be not so still that not only the honest people of the Villages but also a considerable part in the greatest Towns who think better of themselves than the rest had such Preachers in far greater Reverence than those who purely and sincerely preached the Holy Gospel In whatsover sort it was said Hircan Was it not an Injury to demand the Womens Gammons to be mingled with their Puddings since there is far more meat in the Gammons Nay and if some devout Woman had understood him according to his fallacy as I believe that he himself did mean it neither he nor his Companions would be in any other conditiō than the young Girl who had her Sack too full But you may behold said Oysilla what a most impudent Man this was to corrupt at his pleasure the Text of holy Scripture thinking to meet with such Beasts as himself and in doing so most wickedly to endeavour to supplant poor women by teaching them how to eat raw flesh at night You take no notice at all said Simontault that he saw before him the young women of Amboys in whose Troughs he would willingly have washed his Whatch-I-call-it No but you understand it well enough and make them to tast it not rosted but hot in a wanton Exercise to give them greater pleasure Good good Signior Simontault said Parlament you do forget your self or do you keep your accustomed Modesty in Reserve to be only ready when you have need of it No Madam said he but the dishonesty of the Monk did cause me so far to wander from my self Therefore to put our selves again into our first course I desire Nomerfide who was the occasion of my digression to give her voice to some one who might make us to forget our common fault Since you make me to partake of your fault said Nomerfide I will address my self to one who will help our present imperfection it is Dagoucin who is so grave that he will rather die than have a foolish word come from him Dagoucin thanked her for the good opinon she had of him and began to spoak his History the effect whereof was to make you understand how much Love doth blind the most great and the most honest hearts and that a Discourtesie is hard to be overcome by any former benefit how great soever it be The Inconvenience that b◠fell a Duke and his impudence to arrive to his Intentions with the just punishment of his ill-laid Designe The Second Novell SOme time since in the City of Florence there lived a Duke who espoused Madam Margaret daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth and because she was so young that it was nor yet lawfull for him to lie with her he entertained her very honourably and lovingly until she did arrive unto the ripeness of age For to forbear her he became amorous of some other Ladies in the
City whom in the night he went to court when his Wife was asleep Amongst others there was a most beautifull and virtuous Lady who was Sister to a Gentleman whom the Duke loved as himself and to whom he gave so much authority in his House that his word was obeyed and feared as that of the Dukes and he had no secret in his heart which he declared not unto him Insomuch that he might well be called his second Self The Duke observing his Sister to be so accomplished a Lady and that he had not the means to declare the love which he did bear unto her having sought all wayes that were possible for the effecting of it at last addressed himself to the Gentleman whom so intirely he did affect said unto him If there were any thing in the world my Friend which I would not do for you I should be affraid to declare unto you my thoughts and much more to desire you to be ayding to me in them but I bear you so much good will that if I had Wife Mother or Daughter that might conduce to save your Life I would rather imploy them all in it than to suffer you to die in torment and I believe that the Love which you bear to me is reciprocal to mine And if I who am your Master do bear such an affection to you I presume that you do not bear any lesse to me Wherefore I will declare one secret to you the concealment whereof doth keep me in this estate wherein you see me of which I can look for no amendment but onely by Death or by the service which you may do me The Gentleman observing the Reasons of his Master and that his face in earnest was bathed in tears had so great a compassion of him that he said unto him Sir I am your Creature all the Fortunes and Honours I enjoy do proceed from you you may speak to me as to your friend being assured That all which lies in my power is in your own hands Incontinently the Duke began to declare unto him the love which he did bear unto his Sister which was so great and violent that if by his means he had no redresse he found he could not live long for he knew by experience that neither Letters nor Prayers nor Presents could prevail upon her Wherefore he conjured him If he loved his life as deerly as his life was beloved by him that he would find a means to procure him that benefit which without him he concluded it was impossible to enjoy The Brother who loved his Sister and the honor of his House more than the pleasure of the Duke did endeavour to make him some Remonstrance to the contrary beseeching him in all other ways to imploy him but to excuse him onely in this thing it being too cruel and too unnatural to him to purchase the dishonor of his own bloud that neither his heart nor his Honour could comply with this Command The Duke enflamed with an anger insupportable did bite his nails and made reply unto him in great fury It is no matter seeing I find in you no respects of Friendship to me I know what I have to do The Gentleman understanding the cruelty of his Master was struck into a fear and said unto him Sir Because it is your pleasure I will speak unto her and I will give you an account of her answer to me The Duke answered departing from him As you make much of my life 〈◊〉 will I of yours The Gentleman understood well â—nough what he did mean by those words and absâ—â—ted himself a day or two from the Duke to consider what he had to do On one side there was presented to him the Obligation which he owed to his Master and the benefits and the Honours which he had received from him On the other side his thoughts reflected on the Honour of his House the honesty and chastity of his Sister and the assurance he had that she would never consent to so foul a Motion if she were not surprized by deceit or by force Wherefore having taken these Premises into his consideration he concluded That he would rather die than be the Author of so ill an Office to his Sister who was one of the most virtuous Ladies in all Italy He was rather obliged he did judge to deliver his Countrey from such a Tyrant who by force would stain the Honour of his Family He was assured besides that unlesse the Duke was dead the life of himself and of his Sister were absolutely lost Wherefore without so much as speaking one word unto his Sister he determined with himself to save his own life and by the same way to revenge the shame which was intended to be brought upon her At the end of two dayes he addressed himself to the Duke and told him how he had practised with his Sister who but not without great difficulty did consent unto his pleasure which she hoped should be kept secret seeing none but himself who was her own Brother had any knowledge of it The Duke who desired this News did easily believe it and imbracing the Messenger did promise him whatsoever he would demand and desiring him that it might quickly be put in execution they agreed between themselves upon the day If the Duke were not high with hopes and Joyes I will leave it to you to judge When he saw the night so much desired to approach in which he promised himself to have the Victory over her whom he thought invincible he withdrew himself betimes from his Court having none in his Company but this Gentleman alone and forgot not to take along with him a Night-cap and a shirt perfumed in the best manner as possibly it might be And taking his opportunity in the Evening he did go along with this Gentleman to the Lodging of this Lady where he came into a Chamber very richly prepared The Gentleman assisted him to put off his cloaths and helped him into Bed saying to him Sir I will now go and setch her my self unto you who will not enter into this Chamber without many blushes but I hope before the Morning she will be assured of you In this manner her left the Duke and did go into his own Chamber where he found but one of all his Servants to whom he said Have you the heart to follow me into a place where I will revenge my self on the greatest Enemy I have in the world His Man not knowing what he would do said unto him Yes Sir and it were the Duke himself Immediatly the Gentleman did take him with him who on the sudden had not the leisure to take any other Aâ—ms but a Ponyard only which he had always about him When the Duke did hear him comming conceiving that he had brought her along with him whom he loved so intirely he opened the Curtain and his eyes to behold her and to receive her into his arms whom so long he expected
Ladies Let there be no more a quarrell concerning a thing already passed but take heed that your own beauties do not commi more cruel Murders than hers of whom I have given you an account Parlament said The fair Lady without mercy hath taught us to say That her gracious Malady many did slay Madam I would to God said Dagoucin that all the Ladies in this Company did know how false that opinion is I believe they would not own the Name to be without Mercy nor resemble that incredulous Woman who did let her Servant die in refusing to give him a gracious answer You would then said Parlament to save the life of one who saith be loveth us that we lose at once both our Honours and our Consciences That is not that said Dagoucin which I do mean For he who loveth perfectly will fear how he woundeth the honour of his Mistresse more than her self Therfore it seems to me that a civil and a courteous answer such as a sair and an honest love requireth cannot but increase Honour and confirm the Conscience for he is no true Servant that doth desire the contrary This alwayes said Emarsuite is the end of your reasons which begin with Honour and end in the contrary And if those Men who are here present would speak the truth I should believe them without their Oaths Hircan did swear for his part that he never loved any woman his wise excepted with whom he did not desire to be a Sinner Simontault said as much and added That he had often wished that all wives in the world were pliant easie to be gained his own excepted Gue bron said unto him Truly you do well deserve that your own Wife were such as you desire others to be but for my self I can justly swear that I do so truly love one Lady that I had rather die than that for me she should suffer such a change that I should esteem her the lesse afterwards for my Love is so much grounded on her virtues that for all the good which in this world can arrive unto me I would not see her in the least sort blemished Saffredant began to laugh and did say unto him I did think Guebron that the love of your wife and the good opinion that you have of her had excused you from being amorous of others but I perceive it is not so For you use the very same terms with which we are accustomed to deceive the most subtle and to be heard by the most wisest Ladies for who are they will stop their ears when we shall begin with Honour and Virtue But if we did show them our hearts such as indeed they are there are many of us who are bid very welcom amongst Ladies whom they would make afterwards no account of at all We cover therefore our Devil with the best Angel that we can find out And under that coverture before we are discovered we receive gallant entertainment And by this means we do so draw on the hearts of the Ladies that they do think they do go in the direct way to virtue and knowing afterwards the vice of the deceipt it may be they have neither the means nor the leisure to retreat Truly said Guebron I took you for another Man than such as you expresse your self and that Virtue was more agreeable to you than Pleasure How said Saffredant Is not the greatest virtue to love as God commandeth us It seemeth to me to be far better done to love a woman as a woman than to idolize her as divers others do And as for my self I continue firm in that opinion That it is better far to use them than to abuse them The Ladies were all of Guebrons opinion and constrained Saffiedant to hold his peace who said I am well contented to speak no more for I have been so scornfully used amongst them that I have no mind to return thither again Your subtilty and malice said Longaren is the cause of our course entertainment of you for what honest Lady is there who would maintain you for a Servant after this Discourse you have held with us Some who do find me not so troublesom said Saffredant Will not exchange their honesty for yours But let us talk no more that my choler may not be displeasing to my self or to any one else Let us observe to whom Dagoucin will give his voice who said I give it unto Parlament for I conceive that she knows better than any other what is that love which is most true and perfect Parlament said Since I am chosen to give you an account I will declare unto you a History which happened to a Lady who hath been one of my greatest friends and the thought of whom is alwayes lodged in my memory A Captain of a Galley under the pretence of Devotion became amorous of a young Lady and what Fortune he incountred The Third Novell IN the House of Madam the Regent Mother of King Francis there was a very devout Gentlewoman married to a Gentleman who as her self was piously affected And although her Husband were old and she was beautifull and young yet she served and loved him as if he were the handsomest and the youngest man in the world And to take away from him all occasion of suspition she attired her self in the habit of an Old woman and suitable to the age in which he was and abandoned all Companies Fashions Dances and Playes which young Ladies are accustomed to frequent and placed all her pleasure and recreation in the Service of God Wherefore her Husband did repose so great a love and trust in her that she governed both his House and himself at her own pleasure It so fell out that one day the Gentleman told her that from his Youth he had a great desire to make a voyage to Jerusalem She who desired nothing more than to please him said unto him Sweet-heart Since God hath deprived us of Children and bestowed upon us wealth sufficient I would desire you to set apart some quantity of it for so holy a voyage for go where you will thither or elswhere I am resolved to go with you and never to abandon you The good Man was so glad of it that he thought he was already upon the Mount of Calvary During this resolution there came a Gentleman to the Court who had been often in the War against the Turks and besought the assistance of the King of France in an enterprize upon one of their Cities by which he said that great profit would redound to all Christendom The old Gentleman demanded of him his Expedition and after he understood his Resolution he demanded of him If after that voyage he would make another to Jerusalem whither his Wife and himself had a great desire to go The Captain being very glad to hear their good desires did promise them to be a guide unto them in the way and desired him to keep the affair secret The good old Gentleman
she deliberated with her self to bring some profit by that Ring to the Conscience of the Captain and immediatly dispatched one of her servants to the disconsolate wife of the Captain pretending her self to be a religious woman of Tarasco and did write unto her in these words Madam Monsieur your Husband passed this way a little before he took shipping and after he had confessed and received the Sacrament as a good Christian ought to do he declared unto me one fault which lay heavy upon his Conscience which was the grief that he had not loved you so much as he ought to have done and prayed and conjured me at his departure to sead you this Letter with this Diamond which he desireth you to keep for the Love you bear him assuring you That if God shall return him in safety there was never any woman better used by a Husband than you shall be by him and this Diamond for the performance of it shall be a firm pledge unto you of the assurance of his faith I beseech you to recommend him to God in your prayers and he shall not want of mine during my life This Letter made up and sealed in the name of one of the Nuns of Tarasco was sent by the Gentlewoman to the Captains Wife when the old woman beheld the Letter and the Ring you need not demand how she wept for joy and grief to be so beloved and esteemed of her Husband of the sight of whom she saw her self deprived And kissing the Ring a thousand times she did bedew it with her tears blessing God that at the end of her Dayes he had restored the love of her Husband to her which she held to be lost for a long time She also much thanked the Nun that was the Cause of her Good To whom she sent the best answer that she could which the Messenger reported to his Mistresse who could neither read nor hear what her servant brought unto her from her without laughing very heartily and was well contented to be rid of the Diamond to procure so great a good as to establish the Love betwixt the Husband and the Wife in doing which she thought to her self she had gained a Kingdom Not long after there arrived the News of the Defeat and Death of the poor Captain and how he was abandoned by those who ought to succour him and that his Enterprise was betrayed by the Rhodians who most of all should have kept it secret insomuch that himself and those who landed with him who were about the number of four and twenty were killed upon the place amongst whom was a Gentleman called John and a Turk whom the Gentleman above-specified had answered for at the Fount both whom she had given to the Captain to attend upon him in his voyage one whereof died with him and the Turk being wounded with five arrows did save himself by swimming to the French ships by whom alone the Truth of this Defeat was understood For a Gentleman whom the poor Captain had taken for a Friend and a Companion and had advanced him into the favour of the King and the greatest of the Nobility of France as soon as ever he saw the Captain landed did retire back with the Ships into the Sea The Captain seeing his Enterprize discovered and above Four thousand Turks comming down upon him would have retreated to the ships as he ought to have done but the Gentleman in whom he did repose his onely Confidence knowing that in his Death the Charge and Command of the whole Army would be devolved upon himself did declare unto the Gentlemen and others that were on ship-board That they ought not to hazard the Vessels of the King nor so many good Souldiers that were in the ships to save a few persons only By this perswasion they who of themselves wanted Courage did agree in opinion with him The Captain observing that the more he called upon them the more they drew back towards the Main and removed themselves from his succour did return towards the Turks being in Sands up to the knees where he made such demonstrations of his Valour and of his knowledge in Arms that it seemed that he alone was able to defeat all the numbers of his Enemies by reason whereof his treacherous Companion entertained a greater fear than a desire of his Victory At the last whatsoever defence he could make he received so many wounds by arrows from those who durst not approach near unto him that he began to lose much bloud and the Turks perceiving the weakness of these poor Christians and scorning their unconsiderable numbers did fall in upon them and charged them with their Scemiters which made deep cuts in their bodies but as long as God gave them strength and life they defended themselves but that failing the Captain called unto him the Gentleman whose Name was John whom the Gentlewoman gave unto him and the Turk and sticking the point of his Sword on the Sands falling on his knees he kissed and kissed again the Crosse upon the hilts thereof saying Lord Take into thy mercy the Soul of him who hath not spared his life to exalt thy name The Gentleman whose name was John perceiving that his life ended with those words embraced him and the Crosse on the hilt of the Sword which he had thinking to have assisted him but a Turk behind him did give him a mortal blow with his Scemiter who crying aloud Let us go Captain Let us go into Paradise to see him for whom we die he was made the Companion of the Death as he had been of the life of the poor Captain The Turk seeing he could neither serve or fave either one or the other of them being hurt himself with five arrows did flie to the ships and demanding to be received although he was the only person that escaped of four and twenty yet it was refused by the traiterous Companion of the Captain But he who could swim well enough did throw himself into the Sea and at last prevailed so far that he was received into a small Vessel and in a few dayes cured of his wounds And by this poor Stranger the truth of this Act was perfectly known to the Honour of the Captain and the Infamy of his Companion whose offence the King and all those who ever heard of him did judge to be so great both against God and Men that there was no death so grievous but they thought he most justly did deserve it Howsoever at his return to Court he made so many pretences and excuses and gave such great Presents that he was not only saved from punishment but had the Command of the Captain conferred on him whose Groom he was not worthy to be When this News was first brought unto the Court Madam the Regent Mother who highly did esteem him did wonderfully lament him so did also the King and all the personages of Honour about the Court And she whom too well he loved
hearing of his lamentable and Christian death changed the roughnesse of her language with which she thought to have entertained him at his return into tears and sighes in which her Husband did keep Company with her being thus sadly disappointed of his hopes in his Journey to Jerusalem I cannot here forget That a Damosel who lived with this Gentlewoman whose Name was Joan and loved the Gentleman that was given to the Captain better than the loved her self on the same morning that the Captain and the Gentleman were slain did come unto her Mistresse and told her That she had seen him in her sleep last night whom so well she loved cloathed all in white who was come unto her to take his Farewell of her being on that day to go into Paradise with his Captain But when she found that her Dream was true she made so great a lamentation that her Mistresse had enough to do to comfort her Some moneths afterwards the Court removed into Normandy of which Province the Captain was whose Wife never failed to come to do Reverence to Madam the Mother Regent And to be presented to her she addressed her self to that Gentlewoman whom her Husband so much loved And attending the hour in which they were to go unto the Church to hear Mattens the old woman began to praise and to lament her Husband and amongst other discourses she said unto her Madam My misfortune is greater than ever did befall any woman for just at the time that he began to love me better than ever he did before God took him from me And speaking those words she shewed her the Ring which she had upon her fingers as the token of his perfect love which was not without many tears at which the Lady though she was sensible enough of the old Womans grief had so great a desire to laugh especially since her deceit produced this good that she was unable to present her to Madam the Regent but gave her to another and retired her self into the Chapel where having laughed her fill she passed away the defire she had to laugh any more Ladies It seems to me that they unto whom such gifts are presented should desire to do works that may come to so good an end as this Gentlewoman did for they only by experience do find that good Deeds do redound to the joy of the Doers And we ought not to accuse this Gentlewoman of Deceit but to esteem of her good Intentions who converted that into a Benefit which of it self is worth nothing Will you say so said Nomerfide Is a fair Diamond of two hundred Crowns price worth nothing I dare assure you that if it had fallen into my hands neither his Wife nor any of his Kinred should ever have seen it again There is nothing better to any one self than that which is given The Captain was dead No man knew any thing of it Upon my word you have reason for it said Hircan for there are some women who to shew themselves more excellent than others do some works apparently against their Natures for we all know well enough that there is nothing more covetous than a woman and yet their Glory doth oftentimes exceed their Avarice which doth inforce their hearts to do those things which they would not And I believe that she who forsook the Diamond was not worthy to wear it Hola Hola said Oysilla I do suspect I know the Gentlewoman I do beseech you therfore not to condemn her before you see her Madam said Hircan I do not condemn her but if the Captain were as virtuous as you say he was she had been honoured to have had such a Servant and to have worn his Ring but it may be that one lesse worthy to be beloved did take so fast hold on her finger that his Ring could not come on Truly said Guebron she might well have kept it because there was not one who knew any thing of it How is that said Guebron Are all things lawfull to those that love because no man knows of them Take my word for it said Saffredant I never saw any mis-deed punished but only foolishness for there is neither Murderer Thief nor Adulterer but let him be as cunning as he is wicked that was ever either condemned by Justice or reproved amongst Men but oftentimes their subtilty is so great that it doth blind them so that they become fools and as I have said only the fools and not the vicious are punished You may speak what you please said Oysilla God only can judge of the heart of that Lady but as far as I can conjecture I do find the Deed most honourable and virtuous And to debate no more upon it I pray you Parlament to give your voice to some one I give it most willingly said she to Simontault for after these two sad Novells he will give us one you may be sure of it that will not make us weep I thank you said Simontault for in giving me your voice you do not now as lately call me pleasant which is a word I love not and to revenge myself on you I will demonstrate that there are women who make a great appearance that they are wondrous chast to some and for a time but the event doth show them to be as they are as you will find by this Story which is undoubtedly true The Subtilty of a Lover who under the pretence of a true Friend did gather of a Lady of Milan the fruit of his passed labours The Fourth Novell IN the Dutchie of Milan in the time when the great Master Châ—umont was Governor there was a Gentleman called Signior de Bonninet who afterwards for his virtues was made Admiral of France and was highly esteemed at Milan by the great Master and by all the world for the rare parts that were in him He was often invited to the Banquets where the chiefest of the Ladies met by whom he was better beloved than ever Frenchman was as well for his Beauty Gracefulnesse and Language as for the great Name he had in Arms being second therein to none of his Time One day being in a Mask he did lead in the Dance one of the most brave and most beautifull Ladies that were in that City and when the Hoboyes ceased he did alwayes discourse unto her of Love which he could better do than any other but she would make no answer to him but oftentimes to interrupt him in his Discourse and to give a stop to his desires she would assure him That she neither did nor ever would love any but her Husband and would by no means seem to understand him At this answer this refused Gentleman would not desist and vigorously prosecuted his sute untill the Middle of Lent But for all his endeavours he found her firm in her resolutions neither to love him nor any else which he could hardly beleeve seeing the hard favour and course deportment of her Husband and the excellent beauty
he would take his leave of her which he did when ever he understood she was retir'd into her lodgings over which were the lodgings of her Husband and being that evening at the window he perceived the Prince to enter into the Chamber of his Wife which was under his own but the Prince who observed him well enough did not desist to go to her And bidding her Farewel whose love was but on the beginning he did allege unto her all the reasons and commandements of the King After many tears and sorrows which lasted until an hour after Midnight the young Lady said unto him in the conclusion Sir I give thanks to God that he hath been pleased that you should forbear your affection seeing it is so little and so weak that you can take it and leave it at the commandment of Men. As for my self I have not demanded counsel either of my Guardian or of my Husband or of my Self to love you for Love ayded by the deportment of your fair self and by your civilities hath had so much power on me that I have not acknowledged any other God or King but him only And since your heart is not filled with such true Love but Fear doth find a place within it you cannot be a perfect Friend and one that is imperfect shall never be a Friend of mine For I loved perfectly as I resolved with my self to love you and I am constrained to bid Adieu unto you whole tame fear doth not deserve the height and courage of my love In this manner the Prince departed weeping and looking back observed her Husband still looking out at the window who did observe both his comming in and his going out Wherefore on the next morning he did give him an account of the reason wherefore he did repair to his Wife and told him the Commandment which the King had laid upon him with which the Gentleman was much contented and most humbly thanked the King But observing that every day his Wife did grow more fair than other and that he himself became old and was much altered in his Complexion he did begin to change his mind and to leave her for whom he had disdained his Wife and now to make much of his Wife only But she the more she saw him to affect her the more she fled from him resolving to return him part of those pangs that she endured for being so little beloved by him And to take away the pleasure which Love had begun to possesse him with she addressed her self to a young Gentleman so gracefull lovely and well-spoken that he was beloved by all the Ladies of the Court and making her complaints unto him how she had been used by her Husband she did incite him to take pity on her so that this young Gentleman omitted nothing that might bring comfort to her and she to recompence her self for the losse of the Prince who had forsaken her did endeavour her self to love this Gentleman so entirely that she forgot all her past affliction and thought on nothing but so to carry on this nâ—w love that it might not be discovered Which she performed with such dexterity that her Guardian perceived nothing of it for in her presence she took great care how she did speak unto him but when she would hold any Conference in private with him she would pretend to go to give a visit to some Ladies at the Court amongst whom there was one of whom her Husband would seem to be in love One night after Supper when it was very dark this young Gentlewoman stole away without calling any one to keep her company and came into the Presence Chamber where all the Ladies were where she found him whom she loved far better than she loved her self and sitting close by him she leaning on a Table did talk unto him feigning as if she had read on some book One whom her Husband had imployed to watch her did in great hast report unto him where his Wife was and in whose Company he who was a knowing man made all the hast he could unto her and comming into the Chamber did behold his Wife reading of a Book and seemed not to see her but directed his course to the Ladies to discourse with them who were on the other side of the Chamber This poor young Lady perceiving that her Husband had found her with him with whom she never entertained the least discourse before him was so amazed that for a little while she lost her sense and being to go all along by the Bench she took her course quite crosse the room at the tables-end and ran away as if her Husband had pursued her with a naked sword she did run to the Lodgings of her Guardian whom she found going to bed and when she had put off her cloaths she left her and retired to her own Chamber whither one of her Maids came unto her and told her That her Husband would speak with her She answered her very resolutely that she would not go to him and that he was of so strange and violent a Temper that she was afraid he would do her some Injury At the last for fear of worse she did go to him and her Husband did not speak so much as one word to her untill they were in Bed together She who could dissemble as well as himself began very tenderly to weep and when he demanded of her the occasion of her tears she told him That she was afraid that he was angry with her because he found her reading in a Book with a Gentleman Immediatly he did assure her That he never did forbid her to speak to any Man and that he was not angry that he found her speaking with him but because she fled away so fast as if she had done something worthy of Reproof and that only by that running away he had a suspition that she loved the Gentleman Wherefore he did now forbid her to speak with any man in publick or in private assuring her That the first time he should take her speaking to any Man he would kill her without consideration or compassion Which she willingly accepted being resolved with her self not to be so sottish as to be taken again But because that in things to which we have a desire the more we are forbidden the more violently we seek them This poor Lady not long after did forget those threatnings of her Husband for on the very next Evening she being returned to lie in another Chamber with other young Ladies she sent to seek out the Gentleman and to request him that he would come and see her that night But her Husband who was so tormented with jealous pangs that he could not sleep did rise in the night and took one of his Grooms with him because he heard that somebody else was sent for and knocked at the Door of his Wives Chamber She who thought of no man lesse than himself did rise being alone and took
without conscience For you know I know well enough that she whom you do love will not content her self with that which God and Reason do command And although the Laws of Men doe give so great a dishonour to Women who do love other Men besides their Husbands yet the Law of God doth not except the Husbands who love others besides their Wives And if you will put into the ballance your offence and the offence which I have committed You are a Man wise and experienced and of age to know and to be able to eschew Evil I am but young and without any experience of the force and tyranny of Love You have a Wife that doth cherish esteem and love you better than her own life and I have a Husband that doth eschew hate and disdain me more than a Servant You love a Woman that is grown into a great age discomplexioned and nothing so handsom as my self and I love a Gentleman far younger than your self and more lovely and delightfull You love a Woman that pertains to one of the greatest Friends that you have in the world transgressing on the one side the love on the other side the Reverence which you should carry to them both and I love a young Gentleman who is tied in no obligation but only of his love to me Now judge Sir and be impartial in your Judgment which of us two are most to be punished either you or my self I believe there is no man that is either wise or honest but will lay all the blame on you seeing that I am but young and ignorant despised and contemned by you and beloved by the most courteous and the handsomest Gentleman in all France whom I do love by a despair only that I shall never be beloved by you The Gentleman hearing her words full of truth and spoken and pronounced with so assured a grace that she shewed that she neither feared nor deserved any punishment did find himself so surprised with wonder that he knew not what to reply unto her but only that the honour of a Woman and of a Man were not alike but differed in several respects Neverthelesse because she did swear That there was no sin committed betwixt her and the Gentleman whom she loved he was resolved to make much of her upon a condition that she would return no more unto him and that he for his part would abandon her whom he had loved and that neither he nor she for the time to come should call to mind any thing that had passed betwixt them which was promised on both sides and so in good accordance they went to bed together In the morning one of the young Ladies old Maids who had a great fear of the life of her Mistresse did come early to her rising and said unto her And well Madam how goes it with you now She laughing made answer Why my Friend there is not a better Husband in the world than mine for he believed what I did swear In this manner she continued five or six dayes and the Gentleman did keep so close a guard upon her that she was watched both night and day but he could not watch her so narrowly but that she would still in one obscure place or other hold communication with him whom she loved But she carried her affairs so privately that neither Man nor Woman could ever discover the truth and had not one of the Grooms reported that he had seen a Gentleman and a Lady together in a Closet under the Chamber of the Lady that was Guardian to this young Gentlewoman the suspition had ceased the doubt whereof did so torment this Gentleman that he was resolved to be the Death of the yong Gentleman and assembled a great number of his Friends and Confidents together to kill him wheresoever they should find him but the chiefest of his Friends in this confederacy was so much a friend to the young Man whose life was sought after that instead of surprising him he did advertise him of all things that were contrived against him And he was so well beloved at the Court and so well accompanied that he feared not all the force of his Enemies which was the reason that they could never find the opportunity to exercise their vengeance on him But it so fell out not long after that he did meet in a Church with the Guardian of the young Lady whom he loved who knew nothing at all of any thing that had passed for before her self he never durst speak unto her The Gentleman made report unto her of the suspition and the ill will which the Husband did bear unto him and although that he was innocent he was resolved to make a long voyage to take away the Report which began to increase This Lady that was Guardian to his Mistresse was much amazed to hear those words and did protest unto him that the Husband did commit an unpardonable offence to suspect a Lady of Honour in whom she never knew nor saw any thing but Honesty and Virtue Neverthelesse by reason of the Authority in which the Husband was and to stop the current of this false Report the Princesse advised him to absent himself for a time and assured him that she believed not any thing of alâ— these follies and suspitions The young Gentleman was very glad that he continued in the favour and good opinion of the old Lady who advised the Gentleman before his departure to speak unto the Husband of the young Gentlewoman which he did according to her counsel and found him in the gallery hard by the Chamber of the King where with an assured countenance he said unto him Sir I have had all my life a desire to serve you and for a recompence for it I understand that this night you have a design to seek me out to kill me Sir I beseech you to consider that although you have more authority and power than my self yet that I am a Gentleman as well as your self and it would grieve me to fling away my life for nothing I must beseech you also to consider that you have a most virtuous Lady to your Wife and if there be any that will speak to the contrary I will tell him that he lies like a Vilain And for my self I thought I had not done any thing to give you an occasion to wish me evil if you please I will continue your servant if not I am a servant of the Kings for which I have reason enough to content my self The Gentleman to whom he addressed this Discourse made answer That true it was he entertained some suspition of him but he found him so good a Man that he desired rather to have his friendship than his enmity and bidding him Farewel with Hat in hand he embraced him as one of his fastest friends You may think with your selves what those men thought who on the Evening before had received Commission to kill him when they saw
such signs of Honour and of a familiar Love In this manner the Gentleman departed who because he was not so well furnished with Silver as with gallant qualities the young Lady gave him a Ring that was worth three thousand Crowns which he morgaged for fifteen hundred And not long after his departure the Gentleman Husband to the young Lady came unto her Guardian and besought her to give his Wife leave to go for a certain time to a Sister of his to continue with her which the old Lady thought very strange and besought him to acquaint her with the occasion of it part whereof he did impart unto her but not all After that the young marryed Lady had taken leave of her Guardian and of all the Court without any tears at all or the least sign of grief she travelled to that place which her Husband did assign her and was conducted by a Gentleman to whom an expresse charge was given to keep a strict watch over her and above all things that on the way he should not speak unto her who was suspected to love her too familiarly She who understood the Commandment of her Husband did give them alarms every day and laughed at them and at their too officious Care One day amongst the rest just at her departure from the Inne she found a Frier on horseback and she being mounted on an ambling Nagg did hold him in Discourse from Dinner untill Supper and when she was about a mile from the place where she was to lodge she said unto him Good Father for the consolations which you have given me this afternoon behold two Crowns which here I give you and have put them in this Paper because I know that you dare not touch them with a bare hand desiring you that when ever you are gone from me that you will crosse the way with all the speed you can make When he was gone a good way from her the Lady spoke aloud to those that waited on her Do you think that you are good Servants and diligent to guard me since he himself concerning whom you were bid to have such a care hath Discoursed with me all this day and you have permitted him so to do you do well deserve that your good Master who doth repose so much trust in you should reward you with blows of a Cane on your shoulders instead of the wages you expect When the Gentleman who had the charge of her heard this he was so impatient that he could make no answer but immediately did put spurs to his horse calling to two others that were in the Company to follow him they made so great a dispatch that they had almost overtaken the Frier who looking back and seeing them to make up unto him did ride away as fast as ever his horse could carry him they in a full gallop pursued him and because they were better mounted the poor Frier was taken but not knowing wherefore he did cry them mercy and putting off his hood he shewed his bare and shaven crown and began humbly to beseech them Whereupon they knew that he was not the Man they looked for and that the young Lady did but laugh at them which she yet did more at their return saying That such people were fit to be a guard to such Women who suffer them to speak they know not to whom and then adding faith to their words they go to act a mischief on the servants of God and after all these mocks she came to the place where her Husband appointed she should have her residence where her two Sister-in-laws and the Husband of one of them did keep her in great subjection And during that time her Husband understood that his Ring was engaged for fifteen hundred Crowns for which he was sorry But to save the Reputation of his wife and to recover the Ring he sent her word that she should call for it back of the Merchant and that he would pay the fifteen hundred Crowns She who had no care of the Ring because her Friend had the money that was lent upon it did write unto him That her Husband was importunate with her to Redeem the Ring And because he might not think that she did it to diminish the good will that was betwixt them she sent him a Diamond which her Guardian gave her at her departure from her which she loved better than the Ring she had of her Husband The Gentleman that was her friend did willingly send her back the Merchants Obligation and was well content with the 1500 Crowns to have received a Diamond the witnes of the Continuation of the affection of the young Lady to him Howsoever as long as her Husband lived he could never arrive to the opportunity to speak unto her but only by Letters And after the Death of her Husband thinking that she would continue faithful according to her promise he used all his diligence and endeavours to procure her in Marriage but he found that in his long absence she had provided her self with a Companion that was better beloved than himself for which he was possessed with such a sotrow and indignation of spirit that flying the company of Ladies he sought altogether after great adventures and places of as much danger as honour where he was as well beloved as it was possible for a young Man to be and so he finished his days See here my Ladies that without sparing our own Sex I have given an Example unto Husbands to show them that women of a great spirit are sooner overcome with anger and vengeance than with Love and Courtship and although this Lady knew a long time to resist yet at the last she was vanquished by despite which a virtuous woman ought not be or in whatsoever sort it be she ought not to find an Excuse to do evill And by how much the more great the occasions of the offence are given by so much the more virtuous ought they to demonstrate themselves by resisting and overcomming Evil with Good and not by recompencing Evil with Evil And oftentimes the Evil which one thinks to render to another doth fall upon his own head Thrice happy are they in whom the Graces of God do demonstrate themselves by the Examples of Chastity Sweetness Patience and Longammity Hircan said unto her It seems to me Longaren that the Lady who was the subject of your Discourse was led on more by despite than Love for if she had loved the Gentleman as well as she made an apparence she had not abandoned him for another and by the whole tenour of your discourse she shewed her self to be spitefull revengefull obstinate and inconstant You speak at random said Emarsuite to Hircan but you know not what a heart-braking it is to love and not to be beloved again It is true said Hircan I have too lately made experience of it but let her but continue in that sullen humor and I shall quickly leave Love and the
Lady both together Now much good do 't such Husbands said Parlament who love nothing but their own pleasure but a Woman of Honour will never love her Husband so Neverthelesse said Simontault this Lady of whom the Account hath â—in made had for the present Time forgotten that she was a woman for a Man knows not how to exercise a fuller vengeance She was not wise said Oysilla and it is not requisite that others should be accounted such as she was Such as she was said Saffredant why what was she He that shall under your Petticoats examine what are the fair and honest accoutrements you carry there shall find you all to be but Women Nomerfide said unto him We have enough of this I would fain hear an Account that should carry some observations of worth in it Therefore I pray you Longaren to give your voice to whom you please Longaren looked on Guebron and said unto him If you have any story of some virtuous Lady I pray you to give us the Narrative of it Guebron replyed to her I am to speak what I conceive my self to be expedient I will therefore account unto you what not long since did happen in the City of Milan A Lady of Milan approved the hardiness and conrage of her Friend which was the reason that afterwards she loved him with all her heart The Sixt Novell IN the time of the grand Master de Chaumont there was in the City of Milan a Lady who was esteemed one of the most virtuous women that lived in that age She had been married to an Italian Count whose Relict she was and lived in the same house with her Brother-in-laws She could never indure to hear any talk of a second Husband and did deport her self so discreetly and devoutly that there was not either a Frenchman or Italian in the whole Dutchie of Milan who did not highly esteem her One day when her Brother-in-laws and others of her Kinred made a great Feast to the grand Master De Chaumont this widdow was constrained to be present at it being never before at such a meeting since her Husbands Death or in any other publike place When the Frenchmen beheld her they did highly extol her beauty and flowing carriage and above all one Gentleman whose Name I will conceal but it shall suffice that in all Italy there was not a Frenchman more worthy to be beloved than himself For he was accomplished with all the beauties and the graces that are requisite to a gallant Gentleman And although he beheld this Lady Dowager in her black attires severed from the youth and in a corner amongst the old Ladies yet he whom neither man nor woman could ever subdue unto a Capacity of Distrust did begin with confidence to court her and to take off her mask and forsaking the Dancing did altogether addict himself to the Company of this Lady And all the evening he stirred not from her but discoursed with her and the old Ladies in her Company amongst whom he found more delight than amongst all the brave and gallant Ladies of the Court Insomuch that when they were all to depart he had not the leisure he thought to hold discourse with any of the rest And although he talked with her of common subjects fit for such a publick Company yet she perceived well enough that he had a great desire to be acquainted with her and resolved with her self to keep from him as much as possibly she could insomuch that he could never see her afterwards neither at any Feasts or Publick assembly which made him to enquire the more after her and he found that she often frequented the Churches and religious places where he kept so good a watch that she could not go so privately but he would be there before her and would be sure to stay in the Church as long as possibly he could see her and all the time he was there he would contemplate on her beauties with so devout an affection that she could not be ignorant of the love which he did bear unto her To avoid which she for a certain time resolved with her self to counterfeit her self sick and to hear Masse in her own House at which the Gentleman was so sorry that it was impossible to be more for he had no other means to see her but only in the Church She believing that in her absence he had discontinued his Custom to frequent the religious places did return to the Churches as before which love presently declared to the Gentleman who betook himself again to his former Devotions and because she should make no more obstructions in the progresse of his love and for fear that he should not have that happy leisure again to make known his affections to her one morning when she thought she was safe enough in a little Chapel where she heard Masse he came to the end of the Altar and seeing but two or three more neer unto her as the Priest shew'd them Corpus Domini he turned to her and said Madam Let that be my Damnation whom the Priest now holds in his hands if you are not the only cause of my Death For although you have taken from me all the means of speaking to you yet you cannot be ignorant of my Love for the Truth doth sufficiently declare it to you by my languishing eyes and by my pale countenance The Lady seeming not to understand him made answer That God ought not in that manner to be invoked in vain although the Poets do affirm that at Lovers perjuries the Gods do laugh and that women who love their honour ought nor to be credulous or compassionate And speaking those words she did arise and return'd to her Lodging If the Gentleman were not touched to the heart with this answer those who by experience have found the like are able to affirm But he who wanted not a good heart had rather go away with that unpromising answer than to have failed in declaring his good will unto her which he continued for the space of two or three years and courted her by Letters and presents without losing time or tide But during all that time he could obtain no other answer but that she did fly from him as the Lamb did from the Wolf yet something was insinuated that it was not so much for any hatred she did bear him but for the fear of her honour and reputation which he perceived so well that more vigorously than ever before he pursued his affair And after many pains refusals torments and despairs the Lady observing the force and continuance of his love did take pity on him and did grant him that which he had so much desired and so long attended And when they had agreed upon the means the French Gentleman failed not to adventure into the House although his life thereby was in great jeopardy seeing that a great part of her Kinred did lodge in the same house with her But she who had
no lesse wit than beauty did direct him so discreetly that he came into her Chamber on the hour she assigned where he found her lying alone in a very rich Bed and as he made hast to put off his cloaths to go into the Bed to her he heard a great noise at the door of people speaking to one another and of swords clashing against the walls The Lady with a Countenance half dead said unto him At this minute is both your Life and my Honour in the greatest Danger that possibly can be for too well I understand that my Brothers are seeking you out to kill you Wherefore I intreat you to conceal your self under my Bed for when they cannot find you I shall have a just occasion to be angry with them by reason of this alarm which without Cause they have given The Gentleman whose noble heart did always scorn the base effects of Fear replyed unto her And who are your Brothers that they should make me afraid If the whole Generation of them were together I am confident that they would not stand against the point or the edge of my Sword wherefore lie still in your Bed and let me alone to guard your Door Immediatly he clapped his cloak about his arm and took his Sword in his hand and opened the Door to find those Swords more neer him which made so great a noise The Door being opened he beheld two Chambermaids who with two swords in either hand did occasion the Alarm they said unto him Monsieur Pardon us for we have received Commission from our Mistresse to do as we have done but you shall have no other hinderance or disturbance by us The Gentleman seeing they were two Maids did wish all the Devils in Hell take them both and shutting the Door on the faces of them he made all the speed he could to the Ladies Bed whose frights had no ways diminished his love and forgetting to ask her the reason of that skirmish he thought on nothing but to satisfie his desires And perceiving that the Day approached he intreated her to tell him wherefore she had done him so ill an office by holding him so long in delayes and also what was the meaning of the Enterprise of the two Chambermaids the last night She laughing made answeâ— to him My Resolution was never to love again which from my Widdowhood I had a long time observed but your civil Deportment from the first hour wherein you spake unto me at the Banket hath made me to alter my purpose and I began at that instant to love you as much as you could love me It is true that Honour which in all my actions hath been my guide would not permit that Love should cause me to do any thing whereby my Reputation might suffer but as the Hart wounded to Death doth think by changing of place to change the malady he beareth along with him so did I remove from Church to Church thinking to flie from him whom I carried in my heart who hath now proved his love to be so perfect that the Agreement is made and Honour doth accord with Love But to the end that I might be the more assured to commit my heart my love to an absolute Man I was willing to make this last proof by my Chambermaids assuring you that if either for fear of your life or any other regard I had found you so timorous and so tame as to have hid your self under my Bed I was resolved with my self to rise and to withdraw my self into another Chamber without ever seeing you again But because I have found you courteous and lovely and more full of Spirit and courage than it was reported to me that fear cannot enter into your heart nor make cold that love which you bear unto me I am resolved to continue with you untill the end of my dayes being confident that I cannot put my Life and Honour in a surer hand than in his who I believe hath not his equal in all Virtues And as if the Will and Desires of Lovers were immutable they did promise and swear unto one another to perform that which was not in their power to perform which was a perpetual Love which cannot continue in the hearts of Men as those Women know who have made trial of it and how long those Resolutions do endure And therefore Ladies you should take heed of us as the Buck if he had understanding would of the Hunter For our Glory Felicity and Indeavour is to see you surprized and to take that from you which is more dear unto you than life it self How now said Hircan unto Guebron How long ago is it since you have been a Preacher I have known the time that you have maintained another Doctrine It is true said Guebron I do speak now against that which I have practised heretofore all the whole Course of my life but because I have teeth so weak that I cannot eat Venison my self I would advertise the poor Does to beware of the Hunters to make some recompence in my old age for the sins I have committed in my youth We thank you Guebron said Nomerfide for that which you have counselled us to our profit but we do now perceive our selves to be a great deal too young for you for it appears that in your Youth you gave not the same exhortations to her whom you loved which is a sign that now in your age you do neither love us nor your self neither would you willingly suffer us to be loved by any other Howsoever we think our selves to be as wise and virtuous as she whom so long you followed and courted in your Youth But it is alwayes the Glory of the gray beard and those that walk with a staff to think themselves more wise than those who do come after them Nomerfide said Guebron it is very well when the Deceit of some of your Servants shall by experience teach you to understand the subtilty of Men you will then believe what now I have spoken to be truth Oysilla said to Guebron It seems to me that the Gentleman whom you so much commend for Courage ought to be praised more for the violence of his love which is a Power so strong that it will make the greatest Cowards in the world to enterprise that which the most valiant would think and think of again before they would undertake it Saffredant said unto him Madam It seems to me that if this French Gentleman esteemed not the Italians to excell more in their words than in their deeds he might have some great occasion for fear He had so indeed said Oysilla were it not for that fire in his heart which consumed his fear If you find not his Courage commendable enough said Hircan give us an account of some one else who is more worthy of praise To speak the Truth said Oysilla the Gentleman was to be praised but I can give you an instance of One in the
That although he believed he was innocent of that which was laid to his charge yet he found that he was possessed with a great fear which brought forth a desire to be gone from that Master whose complexion he as yet not understood For my own part Ladies I can find no other thing that could move the heart of the King to hazard himself alone against so brave a Man at Arms and leaving all the Company and the place and Majesty due unto a King to demand the Combat of his Inferiour but only that he would render himself equal to that admirable Prince who doubted of his Enemy and to content himself did give him the Experience of the Noblenesse and Courage of his own heart And without contradiction said Parlament he had reason for it for the praises of all the Men in the world cannot so much satisfie a good heart as the knowledge and the experience that it hath of the Virtues wherewith God hath endued it It is many hundred years since said Guebron that the Poets and others have informed us that to come to the Temple of Renown we must first passe through the Temple of Virtue And for my self who knew very well the two Personages who were the Subjects of this Account I am most assured that the King was absolutely one of the most valiant men that were in his Kingdom Upon my faith said Hircan from the hour that Count William came first from Germany into France I did more stand in fear of his Sword than of all theirs who were esteemed to be the most stout Italians in the Court You know well said Emarsuite that the King was so highly reputed for his valour that our praises cannot reach his Deserts and that this Dayes work will be finished before every one of us shall have given a due character of him Wherefore Madam Give your voice to some one else who hath yet something to say of the Goodnesse of Men if there be any Goodnesse at all in them Oysilla turning to Hircan said unto him you have been so much accustomed to speak ill of Women that it seems to me it will be easie to you to give us some ready account of the praise of Men Wherefore I give you my voice It will be a thing easie to me to do said Hircan for it is not long since that one did give me an account of the praises of a Gentleman whose Love Patience and Perseverance is so commendable that I cannot lose the Memory of it A fair young Lady made trial of the Faith of a young Scholar her Friend before she would permit him to intrench too far upon her Honour The Eighth Novell IN one of the good Cities of France there was a Lord of a great Family who was at the University desiring to attain unto the knowledge by what means virtue and honour ought to be acquired amongst virtuous Men. And although he was so knowing that being but eighteen years of age he seemed to be a Document and an Example unto others yet Love made him to sing after his Lesson And to be the better understood and received Love hid himself under the Damask complexion and in the eyes of the most beautiful young Lady that was in all that Countrey who for the following of a Sute she had in Law was come to that City But before Love had assayed to overcome the Gentleman by the beauties of this Lady he had gained the heart of her by observing the perfections that were in him for in Beauty Grace good Sense and gallant Elocution there was not any of whatsoever condition he was that could surpasse him You who do apprehend the ready and uncontrolled way which this Fire doth make when it hath taken hold of one of the corners of the heart and of the Fancy will easily judge that in two so perfect Subjects Love made no long delay but had them both at his Commandement and filled them both with so clear a light that all their thoughts will and discourse were but the flames of that Love which with their youth which begot a fear in them did make him to purchase and compleat his Affairs with the greatest sweetnesse that possibly could be But she who at first was overcome by Love needed no force Neverthelesse by reason of the shame which accompanieth young Ladies to the uttermost of her power she did stand upon her guard and did forbear to shew her good will untill that at the last the Fortresse of her heart which is the Seat of Honour was so ruined that the poor Lady did agree to that to which she could not be disagreeing Howsoever to make trial of the patience assurance and love of her Servant she did grant him that which he demanded but upon too hard conditions assuring him That if he should observe them she would alwayes love him most intirely and if he failed in the performance he should never enjoy her whilest he lived The Condition was That she was content to Discourse with him in Bed together having nothing on him but the Linen next unto their Bodies but so that he must not demand any thing at all of her but only a Complement and a Kisse He who thought there was no Joy that was worthy to be compared to this did easily accord unto it The Evening being come the promise was accomplished where for all the good entertainment she gave him and his and her striving desires he would not violat his oath And although he conceived that his torment was not lesse than that of Purgatory yet his love was so great and his hope so strong being sure of the perpetual continuance of her love which with so long reluctation he had purchased that his patience overcame and in the morning he did rise from her without doing her the least dishonor The young Lady as I believe being more astonished than contented with it did immediately begin to suspect with her self that his love was not so great as she conceived or that he found not in her so much delight as at first he propounded to himself she had not the least thought of the greatnesse of his honesty nor of his patience or fidelity and his care to keep his oath Wherfore she resolved with herself to make one proof more of his Love and intreated him to Court a Gentlewoman in her company that was younger than her self and almost as handsom that those who observed him so often to come unto her lodgings might conceive that his love was to her Companion and not unto herself The young Lord who assured himself to be beloved by her as long as he was a faithfull Servant to her did obey her command and inforced himself by the love he did vow to her to make love to this young Gentlewoman who seeing him so lovely and so well spoken did believe his pretence as it had been a truth and loved him as if altogether she had been beloved by him When the
Mistresse perceived that it did go on so forward and that neverthelesse the young Lord did not cease to put her in mind of her promise she concluded with him that he should come unto her one hour after Midnight and because she had such experience of the greatnesse of his love and obedience to her it was reason she said that he should be recompenced for his patience We make no doubt of the great Joy which this affectionate Servant received to hear this promise who failed not to come at the time appointed But the Lady to make a further trial of the force of his love did speak unto her young Companion I understand the love very well which such a young Lord doth bear unto you and I believe your passion is equal unto his I have such a tender regard unto you both that I am resolved to give place unto you and leasure to discourse together at your own case as long as you will The young Gentlewoman was transported with so great a Joy that she could not dissemble her affections to her but assured her that she would not fail to be obedient to her counsels Whereupon she did put off her cloaths and all alone did go into a fair bed in one of the next chambers The Lady left the door open and caused a great wax candle to be lighted in it that the beauty of this young Gentlewoman might be the more apparent And counterfeiting to go to her own lodgings she did hide herself behind the hangings so closely that she could not be perceived Her poor Servant thinking to find her accordingly as she had promised him did not fail to come into the chamber on the appointed hour as softly as possibly he could and after he had shut the door and put off his Gown his Breeches he leapt into the bed where he thought to have found her whom he so much desired no sooner did he stretch forth his arms to imbrace her whom he conceived to be his Lady but the poor young Gentlewoman who thought she had him sure enough had her own arms about his neck and did deliver to him such affectionate words and with so sweet a countenance that there is no Hermit so holy but would have forgot his Pater-nosters But when he discoverd who she was both by his eye and by his ear Love who with so great a speed brought him to bed made him to rise from it with a greater And with an indignation as much against the Lady as the young Gentlewoman he repaired to the Lady who betrayed herself by her laughter and said unto her The folly as much of your self as of the Damsel whom with so much subtilty you have put in yonder bed shall make me no other than I am but doe your endeavour to be a good woman for by no occasion of mine you shall lose your good Name And speaking those words being as full of Despite as it was impossible to be more he departed out of the chamber and for a long time came not into any place where this Lady was Neverthelesse Love who is never without hope did assure her that the more firm his love was and known to be more great by so long experience the more happy and gratefull would the fruition prove And having considered on the passages of the young Lord her servant and her companion she was so well contented and amazed to perceive the greatnesse and strength of his love that it seemed long unto her until she found some occasion to seek him out to crave pardon of him for the many intricate sorrows which she had brought upon him and as soon as ever she had the much desired happinesse to speak unto him she not failed to give him so many couteous and good assurances that he not only did passe over his former torments but judged them most happy since they were all turned into the glory and perfection of his love of which ever afterwards he had the fruition without any hinderance or wearinesse even to the height of his desires Ladies I beseech you find me out one woman so constant so patient and so loyal in love as this man hath been Those who have made tryal of them by such intentions do find them to be such whom we find painted at St. Anthonies very little and rare but of a great price and to speak the truth few men themselves are of this mans temper for he who can be chast with the beauty and the love of women and patient at the time and the leisures of women is virtuous enough to overcome all the Devils in Hell It is pity said Oysilla that he did not addresse himself unto a Gentleweman as virtuous as himself for it would have been the most honest and most absolute love that had been ever rehearsed But tell me I pray said Guebron which task of his two do you conceive most difficult It seems to me the last said Parlament for Despite above all is the most violent temptation Longaren was of opinion that the first was the greatest for it was necessary she said to fulfill his promise that he should overcome both Love and himself You speak at random said Simontault but we who know well enough what things are ought to speak what we know And for my self in performing his first command I think he was a Fool and in the second a Sot For I believe that in performing his promise to his Lady she had as much or more trouble than himself She had not caused him to take that Oath but only because she counterfeited her self to be a far better woman than she was for she knew it was sure enough That a strong Love cannot be bound either by Commandment or by Oath or by any thing that is in the world But she did dissemble her vice to be so virtuous that it could not be obtained but by Heroick Virtues And in the second place he shewed himself a Sot to forsake her who loved him and was more worthy than she to whom he had made his Oath and had so good an Excuse by reason of the Despite which at that time possessed him Dagoucin reproved him saying that he was of a contrary opinion And that at the first time he shewed himself to be firm patient and true and at the second loyal and entire in his love And what know we said Saffredant if he were not one of those who are treated of in the Chapter De Frigidis Maleficiatis But if Hircan would accomplish his praises he ought to account us what a gentle Companion he was after that he had enjoyed that which be desired And for the present how can we judge whether it were a Virtue or a Weaknesse that made him so tame You may be sure said Hircan that if I had been informed of it I would have concealed it no more than the rest but if you did look upon his person or knew his complexion you would say
after me that he was guided rather by the force of Love than any weaknesse or frigidity If he were such a one then as you speak him said Simontault he should have broken his Oath and if she had been angry for so little she might have quickly been appeased But it may be said Emarsuite that at that time she was not willing What and if she were not said Saffredant had she not been easie to have been forced having already given unto him the possession of the Camp Saint Mary said Nomerfide How wide you draw Is that the way to obtain the favour of a Lady whom you esteem wise and honest It seems to me said Saffredant that we cannot do more honour to a woman of whom we desire such a favour than to take it by force for the poorest Baggage in the world doth desire to be a long time intreated and some there are who must be presented with great gifts before they can be obtained and others are so foolish who neither by presents nor by Complements can be obtained to whom we must make use of other means And when we have to do with one so wise that she will not be deceived and so good that she will not be gained either by great gifts or good words is it not reason to use all the means that possibly we can to obtain the Victory And when at any time you hear it spoken that a Man hath taken a woman by force believe it that the Woman had deprived him of all hope of any other means and think not the worse of the Man who hath put his life in jeopardy to give place unto his Love Guebron began to laugh and said I have seen in my days places besieged and taken by force because it was not possible to bring those unto a Parley who did keep them either by money or by threatnings for they say That a Parlying Town is half gained I believe said Emarsuite that all the Loves of the World are grounded upon these Follies howsoever there are some to my knowledge who have loved and honourably continued in their love without being subject to any such loose Intention If you know of any such said Hircan I give you my voice and the Speakers place I know it to be true said Emarsuite and therefore I will willingly give you an account thereof Of two Lovers who despairing to be married the one unto the other did betake themselves to two places of Religion the one to a Covent of St. Francis and the other to S. Anne of Clare The Ninth Novell IN the time of the Marquesse of Mantua who was espoused to the Sister of the Duke of Ferrara there lived in the House of the Dutchesse a Damsel named Paulina who was so well beloved by a Gentleman who was a Servant to the Marquesse that the greatnesse of his affection was admired by all the world And because he was but poor and a gentile Companion his Master in the love he did bear unto him did advise him to look out some wife that was rich and able to maintain him but he thought that all the Treasure in the world was in Paulina which in marrying her he should possesse The Marchionesse also desiring That Paulina might have a richer Husband or none did distast the proceedings of the Marriage as much as possibly might be and oftentimes would not suffer them to hold any Discourse with one another and did demonstrate to them that if the said Marriage should go on they would be two of the poorest most miserable creatures in all Italy But this reason could not enter into the understanding of the Gentleman Paulina as well as she could did for her part dissemble her love she did bear unto the Gentleman howsoever her heart was entire unto him This love continued a long time and was attended with a hope that at last they should meet with some Fortunes that were answerable to their desires Some few years afterwards this Gentleman in a great Battel was taken prisoner with a Frenchman who was as deep in love with a Gentlewoman in France as he was with one in Italy And when they found themselves Companions of one fortune they began more familiarly to discover the secrets of their hearts the one unto the other The Frenchman confessed that his heart was a prisoner as well as his but would not name him the person or the place But being both in the service of the Marquesse of Mantua the Frenchman knew well enough that his companion loved Paulina and for the love which he did bear to his profit and advantage he did advise him to remove his affections from her which the Italian Gentleman did swear was not in his own power and that if the Marquesse of Mantua in recompence of his imprisonment and the good service he had done for him would still refuse to let him have his Sweet-heart he would turn Grey Friar and never serve any other Master but God which the Frenchman could not believe for he saw not in him any sign of religion at all but only the devotion he had unto Paulina At the end of three months the French Gentleman was delivered from prison and prevailed so much by his diligence that not long afterwards he procured the liberty of his Companion and used his utmost endeavour both with the Marquesse and Marchionesse that they would give their consent to his Marriage with Paulina but he could not perswade them to it for they represented to him the poverty in which they should both live and that on both sides their Parents and Kinred were much discontented at it and they forbade him to speak unto them any more of it to the end that their love at last might passe away by absence and impossibility When the Italian Gentleman perceived that he was constrained to obey the command of the Marquesse he demanded leave of the Marchionesse to take his leave of Paulina seeing he should never speak unto her again which was agreed unto and immediately in these words he spake unto her Since it is so Paulina that Heaven and Earth are against us not only to hinder us in our Marriage but which is worse to take from us for ever the sight of one another and that upon command I must not speak any more to you nor you to me This command is rigorous indeed our Master and Mistresse may well boast that with one word they have wounded two hearts whose bodies needs must languish and they have proved that neither love nor pity did ever enter into their breasts I do know that their aim is to marry us richly to some others but they are ignorant that the truest riches do consist in a contented mind and hereby they have done me so great an injury that it is impossible I should ever do them service again I do believe that if I had never spoken to them of this marriage they had not been so scrupulous as not
to have suffered us to discourse together and I do assure you that I had rather dye than change my affection into worse having loved you with so honest and so virtuous a love and purchased that of you which during my life I ought to defend And because that in seeing you I cannot endure that hard patience as not to speak unto you and because in not seeing you my heart which never can be empty will be filled with despair which will make my end unfortunate I am resolved and have a long time been to put my self in a religious house not but that I know very well that in all Estates a man may be saved but to have the more leisure to contemplate the divine bounty which I do hope will have pity on the faults of my youth and will work a change in my heart to love spiritual things as well as temporal and if God shall give me the grace to arrive to the knowledge of the Religion my devotions shall incessantly be imployed to pray unto God for you beseeching you by that love so firm and loyal which hath been betwixt us two to remember me in your prayers and to beseech our Lord to give me as much patience in not seeing you as he hath given me content in seeing you And because I hoped all my life to have enjoyed you in marriage which honour and conscience do permit I am contented that I had that hope although I must now lose it and because I cannot receive the entertainment from you which belongs unto a Husband yet at the least in bidding farewell unto you vouchsafe me the entertainment of a Brother and give me leave to kisse you Poor Paulina who had been always too severe unto him understanding the extremity of his grief and the honesty of his request that in so great a despair he would content himself with a thing so reasonable without giving any answer to him did throw her arms about his neck and weeped with so much bitternesse and fainting of heart that her words her understanding and her force failed her and she swouned away between his arms and the pity thereof accompanied with his love and sorrow did cause him to do the like Insomuch that one of her companions seeing her to fall down on the one side and him on the other did call out for help and by force of remedies did revive them Paulina who was desired to dissemble her affection was ashamed that she had shewed her love to be so violent Neverthelesse the pity she had on the poor Gentleman did serve her for an excuse being not able to endure the word that did bid her farewell for ever she did go away presently her teeth as shut up as her heart entring into her chamber as a dead body without a Soul she fell down upon her bed and passed away that night in such complaints and lamentations that her servants believed she at once had lost her parents and all her kinred and friends and whatsoever was of comfort to her upon Earth In the morning she in her prayers recommended to our Saviour the Gentleman that was her friend who after he had distributed amongst his Servants the poor fortunes he was master of and taken with him a certain sum of silver he did forbid any of his people to follow him and repaired all alone to a Religious house to demand the habit being resolved with himself never to put on any other The Warden of the Covent who had seen him before did think at first that it was but a Fable or Mockery for in all the Countrey there was not a Gentleman that shewed lesse respect unto a Grey Frier than himself for he had in him all the knowing virtues and graces that could belong unto a Gentleman But after he had understood his words and observed his tears falling like Rivers from his eyes being not ignorant from whence the source proceeded he courteously did receive him and not long afterwards seeing his perseverance he gave him the habit of a Frier which he did put on with great Content The Marquesse and the Marchionesse being advertised of it did find it so strange that not without great difficulty they could believe it Paulina to shew her self not subject unto the tyranny of Love did dissemble it as well as possibly she could insomuch that every one told her That she quickly had forgot the great affection of her loyal Servant She continued thus five or six moneths without making any other Remonstrance during which time there was shewed unto her a Song by one of the Religious Men which her Servant had composed presently after he had put on his religious habit the Song is in Italian and common enough Which when she had perused and read it all over going into the Chapel by her self she wept so abundantly that she dewed all the paper with her tears and were it not for a fear she entertained that she should shew her self more affectionate than became her she had immediatly gone into some Hermitage with a resolution never to see again any creature in the world but the Discretion which she had did constrain her for a short time to dissemble it And although she had taken a resolution altogether to renounce the world she pretended the contrary and kept her countenance so reserved that being in Company there appeared nothing of that Melancholly to which she had abandoned her self She carried this Resolution covered in her heart five or six moneths shewing her self more joyful than she was accustomed to be But one day waiting upon her Mistresse to hear the High Masse after that the Priest was come out of the Vestry to go unto the great Altar her poor Servant who was yet in the year of his Probationership did serve at the Eucharist and carrying two little bottles covered with white Silk in either hand was the first that presented himself having his eyes fixed on the Ground When Paulina saw him in that habiliment in which his Gracefulnesse and Beauty was rather increased than diminished she was so troubled and astonished that to cover the blushes which took possession of her cheeks she began to cough Her poor Servant who did better understand that sound than the Bel of the Monastery durst not turn aside his head but passing along by her he could not govern his eyes from beholding that Object to which so long they had been accustomed and looking on Paulina he was so inflamed anew with the fire which he thought had been almost extinguished that beyond his ability endeavouring to conceal it he fell down all along before her And the fear which he had that the Cause of his Misfortune should be discovered he made an Excuse that the Pavement of the Church which was broken just in that place was the occasion of his fall When Paulina understood that the change of his habit had not changed his heart and that it was so long since he took
that Order upon him that every one thought she had forgotten him she resolved with her self to put her Design in Execution which was to render their loves alike in habit form and in condition of life as it was when they lived in one house under one Master and Mistresse And because that fourteen Months before she had given order for all things that were necessary for her to enter into a Religious house she one morning demanded leave of the Marchionesse to goe to hear Masse at the Covent of St. Clare which she granted being ignorant wherefore she did ask it and passing by the Grey Friers she intreated the Warden of the Covent to give her leave to see one of the Friers whom she called her Kinsman When she saw him in the Chapel by himself she said unto him If my Honour had permitted me to put my self into a Religious House as soon as you did I would not have attended untill this time but having by my patience broken through the opinions of those who are more apt to judge Evil than Good I have determined with my self to take upon me the same Condition Robe and Life which I see you have done without inquiring what it is for if you find any Good I shall have my part therein and if you find any thing that is grievous I will not be exempt from it for by what way you go into Paradise in the same I will follow you being assured that he who is the true perfect and the most worthy to be called LOVE hath drawn us to his service by a chast and virtuous love which by his holy Spirit he will convert to our advantage beseeching him That my self as well as you may forget the Body that perisheth and the tincture of the old Adam to receive and put on him who is our Spouse Jesus Christ Her religious Servant the Frier was so well contented and so glad to hear her holy Resolution that with weeping tears of Joy he fortified her in her opinion as much as possibly he could saying Since he could have nothing of her in this world but words only and was hardly permitted to have those also that he thought himself very happy to have now the means daily to see her and that she was of the same mind with him that neither the one nor the other did care which of them were the happiest living in one estate of Love of one heart and of one spirit being perswaded and conducted by the bounty of God whom he besought to keep them both in his hand where none could take them from him And speaking those words and weeping with tears of love and joy he kissed her hands and she stooped her down unto his hand and in true charity did give it the holy kisse of Dilection And thus in a great content Paulina departed and entred into the Covent where she was received and veiled Which afterwards she sent word of to Madam the Marchionesse who hardly could be induced to believe it Wherefore the next morning she repaired to the Monastery to see her and to disswade her from her resolution and if words would not prevail to add force unto her words but Paulina did assure her that if she had the power to take from her a Husband of flesh a man whom she loved best in this world she ought to content her self without attempting to divorce her from him who is immortal and invisible for he was not in her power nor under any power in the world The Marchionesse observing her resolution did kisse her and full of sorrow did take her leave of her After that time Paulina and her servant did live so holily and so devoutly in their places of observance that we ought not to doubt but that he the end of whose Law is charity did in the end of their lives say unto them as unto Mary Magdalen that their sins were all pardoned because they had loved much and that in peace he brought them to a place where their recompence doth surpasse all the merits of men and their good deeds are crown'd with an incomprehensible reward Ladies you cannot be ignorant that never any man did shew a greater love or which so perfectly was returned to him by her whom he loved that I could wish that all those in their condition of love were as well recompenced There would be then said Hircan more he-Fools and she-Fools than were ever yet seen in the world Do you call it folly said Oysilla to love honestly in our youth and afterwards to convert all that love unto the love of God Hircan laughing made answer to her if melancholy and despair be virtues I will confesse that Paulina and her servant are most worthy to be praised So it is said Guebron that God hath many means to draw us to him the beginnings whereof may seem to be unpleasant but their end is good I am of opinion said Parlament that a man can never love God perfectly until first he hath perfectly loved some Creature in this World What do you call it to love perfectly said Saffredant Do you esteem those to be perfect lovers who are in a rapsody at the sight of their Mistresse and kneel down before them at a great distance without daring to declare their affections to them Parlament made answer I call those perfect lovers who do seek for some perfection in those they love whether it be goodnesse beauty or gracefulnesse or whatsoever it be that is always tending unto virtue and who have a heart so high and honest that they will rather by their deaths put an end to all corrupt desires than that their honours or their consciences should suffer For the Soul which is not created but to return unto its soveraign good hath as long as it is even in this Body a desire to arrive unto it But by reason that the understanding by which it should learn the way is obscure and carnal by the sin of our first Father it cannot represent any thing unto it but things visible and which only do approach unto perfection after which the Soul doth run thinking to find in a visible grace and in moral virtues the Soveraign beauty and the Soveraign Grace and Virtue But when she hath examined and proved them and found that it is not that which perfectly she loveth she throws them by goes on further like an infant who in its first infancy loveth apples and pears and puppets and the fairest things that can be presented to the eye and doth esteem it great riches to heap small stones together afterwards growing into age it loveth living creatures and to amasse those precious stones and treasures which are necessary for the life of man But when by grave experience it knoweth that in transitory things there is no perfection nor felicity it desireth to search after true happinesse and the Giver who is the Fountain of it Neverthelesse if God should not open unto us the
ey of Faith we are in danger from being Ignorants to become unbelieving Philosophers For Faith only doth represent unto us causeth us to receive that Good which a carnal man cannot apprehend See you not said Longaren that the Ground not husbanded doth produce many herbs and trees although they are unprofitable which sheweth unto us the good desire of it and the promise it doth make that it will bring forth good fruits when it shall be sowed and weeded So the heart of Man which hath no other understanding but by things visible will never arrive unto the love of God but only by the sowings of his holy word in the heart for the Ground of the heart is of it self barren and cold and almost lost to all hope And this is the Cause said Saffredant that the greatest part of Men are deceived who look not but only on exterior things and despise that which is most pretious and is lodged within If I could speak Latin well said Simontault I would allege unto you what St. John saith That He who loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen for by things visible we are drawn to the love of things invisible Shew us the Man said Emarsuite that is so perfect in that love Et laudabimus eum There are some said Dagoucin who love so purely and so perfectly that they had rather die than to think one thought against the Honours or the Consciences of their Mistresses and would so carry it that neither their Mistresses themselves nor any other should perceive it They said Saffredant are of the Nature of the Cameleon who lives on the Air. For I am of a belief that there is not a Man in the world who doth not desire to declare his Love and to be assured that he is beloved and there is no Feaver of Love so violent but suddenly will slack when we come to know the contrary I will speak it of my self I have seen such Miracles made evident I beseech you said Emarsuite to take my place and to give us an account of some one who hath been raised from Death to Life by finding his Mistress to act contrary to that which he desired I am so afraid said Saffredant to displease Ladies to whom I have been and ever shall be a Servant that without their expresse Command I durst not give any account unto them of their Imperfections but to shew my obedience I will not conceal the truth A Gentleman unexpectedly is recovered of the malady of Love finding his Mistresse too severe unto him in the Arms of her Horse-Keeper The Tenth Novell IN the Country of Dauphine was a Gentleman called Signior de Ryant who belonged to the House of King Francis the first of that Name and was as honest and as fine a Gentleman as could be looked on He was a long time servant to a Lady that was a Widdow whom he so much loved and reverenced that for the fear he had to lose her favour he durst not importune her for that which he so much desired And being handsom himself and worthy to be beloved he firmly believed that which she had often sworn unto him which was that she loved him better than all the Gentlemen in the world and if she were put to it to do a Gentleman a courtesie it should be for him onely as being the most accomplished Man that she knew and did entreat him to rest himself contented with it without transgressing that honest love assuring him That if she knew that he pretended to any thing more and would not be contented with reason that he should lose her Love and all The poor Gentleman not onely contented himself with it but conceived himself to be a happy Man to have gained the heart of that Lady whom he believed to be so virtuous It will appear tedious unto you to repeat the discourse of their love and the long frequentation which he had with her and the voyages which he made to see her But in the conclusion this poor Martyr being in so pleasant a Fire that the more he burn'd the more he would burn did search after all means to augment his Martyrdom One morning a fancy did possesse him to take Post to see her whom he loved better than himself and esteemed above all the Women in the world Being arrived he entred into the Court and demanded where she was answer was made That she was but just come from Vespers and was gon into the Garden to compleat her Devotions whereupon he alighted from his Horse and took his course directly to the Garden where it was told him that she was In the way he did meet with some other of her servants who informed him That she was walking all alone in a long Allee in the Garden wherupon he began more than ever to hope that he should meet with some happy Fortune and as leisurely as possibly he could he pursued his design thinking to find her in most private Retirements And being come to a long Arbor of plashed Trees it being the most pleasant and most delightful place that Art or Nature ever did contrive he suddenly entred in as one who thought long till he had seen her whom he loved At his first Entrance he found her in the Arms of the Horse-keeper of the House as loathsom and as nasty a fellow as she her self was fair and lovely I will not in this place undertake to declare unto you the Indignation that poffessed him which was so great that in one moment it had power to quench the fire which so long had burned And being filled with as much despite as he was before with love he said unto her Madam Much good do 't you This day for your discovered Incontinence I am recovered and delivered from a perpetual perplexity occasioned by the rare Honesty which I conceived to be in you And without any other Farewell he departed from her with greater speed than he came The poor Woman made no other answer to him but only covered her face with her hands It was fit indeed that because she could not cover her shame she should cover her eyes that she might not see him who saw her now too clearly notwithstanding her long dissimulation Wherefore I beseech you Ladies if you have not a desire to love perfectly do not dissemble with an honest man nor seek to displease him for your own glory for Hypocrites are payed in their own Coin and God doth favour those who do love intirely It is well said Oysilla you have given us a good one for the conclusion of this dayes work And were it not that we have sworn to speak the Truth I could not believe that a woman of Estate as she was could be so wicked as to forsake an honest Gentleman for such an ugly Varlet Alas Madam said Hircan If you knew the difference betwixt a Gentleman who all his life-time hath born arms
on his back and followed the War and a strong chined and a well-fed Groom who never stirred out of doore you would easily excuse this poor widdow Hircan said Oysilla I cannot believe that whatsoever you can allege will make any Excuse for her I have often heard it spoken said Simontault that there are women who keep Men on purpose to preach unto the world their Virtue and their Chastity and do give them the best entertainment and the most private that possibly they can assuring them that if their Honours and Consciences might not suffer in it they would comply with them in all their desires And those silly Creatures when they speak of them in company will swear That they have put their fingers in the fire without burning them to prove that they are Ladies of Honour and Virtue because they have had experience of their Goodness even to their singers end And thus those women do hear themselves to be commeaded by such dishonest Man and shew themselves such as they are to those of their own Complexion and choose such to be their Servants who amongst Men of worth have not the considence to speak or if they do speak by reason of their sordid and vile condition they have not the credit to be believed This is the same opinion said Longaren which in another sense I have heard spoken of jealous and suspitious men But this is to pourtray a Chimaera for although it may fall out to be true in one unfortunate woman it ought not to be suspected in another Before we proceed further in this discourse said Parlament and the Gentlemen here present exercise their wits on our expence let us rise and repair to the Vespers that we may not make the religious men to attend us so long as yesterday they did The Company were all of her opinion and being on their way to the Chapel Oysilla said unto them If any of us were too blame for having not this day spoken the truth in those histories which we have delivered Saffredant ought to demand pardon for having made so vile a commemoration to the dishonour of our Sex Upon the credit of my oath said Saffredant I believe my account to be true enough yet I must confess that I only heard it speken but I know so much of women that should I speak all what I knew of them I should make as many or more signs of the Cross than they do at the consecratiō of a Church Parlament replyed He is far enough from Repentance whose confessiō doth aggravat his sin But because you have such a bad opinion of women they ought to deprive you of all entertainment and familiarity with them He made answer some of them in my behalf have so used the Counsel that you now give them in denying me things just and honest that if I could either speak or do worse unto them I would not forbear it to revenge my self on her who doth detain me in so great a thraldom And speaking those words Parlament began to sneeze as she entred with the other Ladies into the Church where although the Saints bell had rung yet there were none of the Monks to say service because they understood that this gallant Company were assembled in the Meadow to discourse of those pleasant Subjects and being such who preferred the vanity of their delight above their Devotions they hid themselves in the bottom of a ditch behind a thick hedge lying with their Bellies on the Earth where they listned so attentively to their agreeable accounts that they could not hear the Bell of the Monastery Which did easily appear for they arrived in so much hast that their breath failed them to begin Vespers And the service being ended they confessed to those who demanded the reason why they came so late and chanted so disorderly that it was to listen to these Histories in the Meadow wherefore seeing their good will it was permitted to them that sitting at their ease they should every afternoon be behind the hedge Supper being ended they began the continuation of the discourse to which they had not put a period in the Meadow Oysilla at the last entreated them that she might retire herself to have her spirits more chearfull against the next morning And after many passages full of variety and delight Oysilla affirming that one hour before midnight was worth three afterwards this gnllant Company parted putting an end to their discourse and the recital of their Histories for the second day The end of the second Book The Third Dayes Work of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface ON the morning the Company could not come so soon into the Hall but Madam Oysilla was there half an hour before them having before hand studied the Lecture which she was to read And if they were content with the foregoing Discourse they were no less taken with this second and had it not been that one of the Monks had come to call them to the Mass their contemplation had hindred them from hearing the Bell. Mass being heard and a short Dinner ended that their memories might not be prejudiced by the abundance of too much Viands they all began in their orders to acquit themselves as well as they could and retiring to their Chambers to read over again their Accounts they attended the accustomed hour to go into the Meadow which being come they sailed not to commence their happy voyage Those who had determined with themselves to discourse on some merry Subject had already such joyfull countenances that the rest did promise to themselves a just occasion of laughter to come When they were sat down they demanded of Saffredant to whom he would give his voice Since said he the fault which yesterday I committed is so great that you suppose there can be no Account given that is worthy enough to make amends for it I give my voice to Parlament who by her good discourse doth know so well to please and to commend the Ladies that she will make them to forget the truth which I have spoken I take not upon me said Parlament to mend your faults but to take heed to my self that I do not follow them wherefore I am determined giving you an account of the Truth as we are sworn to do to demonstrate to you by Example that there are Ladies who in their loves have sought for no other end but honesty And because she of whom I shall now speak unto you was of a great house I will change nothing in her History but the Name only desiring you Madams to understand that Love hath not the power to change a chast heart as you shall find by this History which I shall recite unto you THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The honest and wonderfull Love betwixt a young Lady of an honourable Descent and a Bastard and the Obstructions which the Queen made in their marriage with the wise Answer of the young Lady to the
Queen The First Novell THere was in France a Queen who in her Court brought up many young Ladies of great and good Houses Amongst others there was one called Rolandine who was her neer Kinswoman But the Queen by reason of some displeasure she did bear unto the Father did not entertain her with that respect as she deserved and although this young Gentlewoman was neither one of the fairest nor yet one of the foulest yet she was so wife and so gracefull that many great Lords and Personages did demand her in Marriage of whom they all received but a cold answer For her Father did love his money so well that he forgot the advancement of his Daughter and the Queen her Mistresse as I have said did bear her so little favour that she was not courted at all by those whom the Queen respected so that by the negligence of the Father and the disdain of her Mistresse the poor young Lady did continue a long time unmarried And thus afflicting her self not so much for the desire she had to be married as for the shame that she was unmarried she at last altogether retired â—her self to her Devotions and abandoning all the flant and vanities of the Court she made it all her Recreation to pray unto God or to perform some curious workmanship with her Needle In this solitary life she passed away her youth living a life so retired and so holy that she became as well the Wonder as the Discourse of all that knew her When she approached unto thirty years of age there came unto the Court a Bastard descended of an Illustrious Family as couragious a Man and as gentile a Companion as any in those times but Fortune had altogether abandoned him and he was so little beholding to Nature that no Lady whatsoever she was would ever have chosen him for her pleasure This poor Gentleman was a Batchelor and as often it comes to passe that one unfortunate Creature is acquainted with another he courted this poor young Gentlewoman Rolandine in the way of Mariage for their compsexions fortunes and conditions were alike and finding themselves both to be the Companions of Misfortune they did seek in all places to comfort one another and by the long society of discourse did hold a perfect Correspondence Those who had observed Rolandine so retired before that she would not speak with any Man perceiving her every hour to entertain the Bastard did take an offence thereat and acquainted her Governesse with it saying It was unseemly they should be permitted to hold such long Discourse together The Governesse was no sooner informed of it but she presently did declare it unto Rolandine assuring her that eveâ—y one did take exceptions that she was alwayes speaking to a Man who was not rich enough to marry her nor handsom enough to be beloved by her Rolandine who had more often been reproved for her melancholy than her affability did make answer to her Governesse Alas my Mother you see that I cannot have a Husband according to the honour of the Family from whence I am derived and that I have always kept company with those who are young and beautifull and would avoid those Inconveniences which I have seen others to fall into And having found now this Gentleman to be wise and virtuous as you cannot deny what hurt have I done to you or to those who brought this information to you to comfort my self in my afflictions The poor old Woman who loved her better than her self did reply unto her Madamoiselle I must confess that you speak the Truth and that you are otherwise used by the Queen and by your Father than you do deserve but so it is That since they speak so prodigally of your honour you ought to abstain from speaking to him if he were your own Brother Rolandine weeping did say unto her Mother since you counsel me I will obey you but it seems strange to me to be allowed no Comfort in this World The Bastard according to his Custom did not long afterwards wait upon her to whom all along she told the Discourse that she had with her Governesse and weeping did intreat him That for a time he would content himself until the Rumor were passed over to which though to his grief he condescended But in this discontinuance of his Company both the one and the other being deprived of all comfort she began to feel so great an anxity of mind that for her part she had never endured the like before She ceased not continually to pray unto God to goe in pilgrimages and to observe days of Abstinence For love as yet unknown unto her did give her so much disquier that it would not grant her the respite of one hour And on the other side The Bastard was possessed with no lesse affection but he who had already concluded in his heart to love her and to use all the means that lay in the compasse of his power to marry her reguarding with his love the honour he should have to enjoy her did conceive it his best way to declare his good will unto the Governesse and to gain her consent which he did by remonistrating unto her the great misery in which his poor Mistresse was detain'd froÌ„ whom they would take away all comfort The old woman weeping did thank him for the honest affection which he did bear unto her Mistresse and did consult with him of the means by which without being discovered they might talk to one another which was that Rolandine should counterfeit herself to be sick of a contagious disease and when her Companions were all gone from her they two might remain alone and he might have the opportunity to speak unto her The Bastard was very joyfull at it and did altogether govern himself by the counsel of her Governesse insomuch that he spake unto Rolandine as often as he pleased But this contentment did not long continue for the Queen who never did much care for her did demand what waâ— the reason that Rolandine did keep her chamber some of the young Ladies made answer that it was by reason of her sicknesse But one of them who had too good a memory told her that the joy which Rolandine had to entertain the Bastard was the great occasion of her ficknesse The Queen who feared that venial sins in her might by degrees prove to be mortal ones did send to see how she did and did forbid her to speak any more to the Bastard unlesse it were openly in her chamber of presence or in the Hall The young Lady made not the least appearance of discontent but made answer that if she had thought that either he or any other had been displeasing to her she would never have spoken the least word unto them Nevertheless she debated with herself to find out some other means which the Queen should not understand it was that on Wednsdays Fâ—ydays Saturdays she would fast and continue in
her chamber with her Governesse where all the time her Companions were at dinner and supper she had the leisure to speak unto him whom so intirely she affected and by how much their time by constraint was made more short by so much their words did come from them with a more great affection for they did steal time to maintain their discourse as a thief doth steal a pretious creasure But this meeting could nor be kept so secret but one of the Grooms did observe the Bastard constantly to enter into the chamber upon the days when Rolandine did keep her fasts and at last it was known to all and to the Queen herself who was thereupon so passionate that the Bastard after that check durst never to enter again into the chamber of the Maids Neverthelesse not to lose the happinesse to converse with her whom so much he loved he often pretended to take a journey out of Town and on the Evening would return to the Church or to the Chapel at the Court in the habit of a Friar or a Monk so well disguised that it was impossible for any one to know him and to the same Church or Chapel Rolandine with her Governess did not fail to come to entertain him He observing the great love which she did bear unto him was not afraid to speak unto her Madam you know the danger into which I do put my self for your service and the Queens prohibitions that you should speak no more unto me You know also too well what a Father you have who careth not to whom he shall espouse you you have refused so many good matches I must confesse I am but a poor man and that you may marry a Gentleman with a fortune far greater than my own but if love and good will be to be esteemed a treasure I ought to be accounted the richest man in the world God hath indued you with a great estate and you are in a possibility to have yet a far greater if I could be so happy as that you would vonchsafe to choose me for your Husband I would all my life be both a Husband a Friend and a Servant to you and if you should take one equal to your self which is very hard to do he would become your master and would more regard your goods than your person and altogether making it his imployment to be conversant in your estate aâ—d to receive the Rents and profits thereof he would not be observant to your self as you do desire The desire I have to give you this contentment and the fear which doth surprise me that you cannot enjoy it with any other doth cause me to beseech you that at once you will make me happy and your self the most satisfied woman that ever was Rolandine hearing these words which she had resolved with her self to speak unto him with an assured countenance did make answer to him I am very glad that you have begun this disscourse which a long time I had thought to have propounded my self unto you Those two last years since I had more perfect knowledge of you I have thought and thought again and examined within my self all the reasons which I could invent either for you or against you And at the last resolving with my self that I would take upon me the estate of Marriage it was time I conceived that I should begin to make choice of him with whom I believed I should live best with most peace of mind I cannot find any one be he never so handsom so rich or so great that my heart my spirit do so well accord with as your self I know that in marrying you I shall not offend God but do that which he commandeth And as for Monsieur my Father he hath so little sought after my Good nay he hath so much refused it that the Law will give leave that I may marry without him although it lies in his power to dis-inherit me Yet let me have but that which belongs unto me in marrying such a Husband as you are I shall esteem my self to be the richest Woman in the world As for the Queen my Mistresse I ought not to make it a point of Conscience to displease her to obey God for she did not forbear to hinder me of that comfort in my youth which I should have enjoyed But that you may understand that the love which I do bear unto you is founded upon Virtue and Honour you shall promise faithfully unto me that although I do accord unto this marriag that you shall not undertake the consummation of it until my Father be dead or until I have found a means to procure his consent unto it To this the Bastard most willingly did ingage himself on these promises they did give to one another a ring in the obligation of marriage and kissed each other in the Church before the Face of God whom they took to be the witnesse of their promises and afterwards during the society of their loves there was no other familiarity betwixt them but a kisse only This little contentment gave great satisfaction to the hearts of those two perfect lovers and they lived a long time in this assurance without being discovered by any And there was no place where Honour might be gained to which with great contentment this Bastard did not goe being confident that he could never be poor or miscrable being blessed by God in so happy and so rich a Wise who in his absence did so well preserve her perfect love that she took not the least delight in any man in the world And although that diverse did demand her afterwards in marriage she made no other answer to them but that having stayed so long without a Husband she was now resolved never to marry This answer was given and understood by so many that it came at last to the ear of the Queen who demanded of her what was the reason of it Rolandine made answer That it was to obey her for she understood well enough that she never desired that she should be married to any who should not honourably provide for her and to her own content and that Age and Patience had instructed her to content her self with the Estate in which she was And evermore when they discoursed with her concerning Marriage she did return the like answers When the Wars were ended and the Bastard entertained again at the Court she never had any conference with him before any but repaired alwayes to the Church to hold Discourse with him there under the colour of Confession for the Queen had forbid both him and her to talk together upon pain of Death unlesse it were in some great Company But the Honesty of Love which knows no prohibition was more ready to find means to bring them to speak together than all their Enemies were prepared to prevent them and under the habit of all the religious Orders they could devise they entertained their honest love untill
the time that the King made a progresse to one of his Houses of pleasure which was not so near to any Church as to go on foot to it so that the Ladies were inforced to repair in their Devotions to the Chapel of the Castle which was so inconveniently builded that there was no place to conceal ones self at the time of Confeilion and the Confessor himself must apparently be seen Neverthelesse although on the one side Opportunity failed them Love on the other side did provide them with a more gratefull Expedient For there arrived a Lady at the Court who was a neer Kinswoman of the Bastards This Lady with the young Prince her Son were lodged in the House of the King and the Lodgings of the young Prince advanced themselves all along beyond that part of the House where the King lodged so that the Bastard might see and speak with Rolandine out of the Princes window for the windows did butt forth one against another at the Corner of the House And in that Chamber which was above the Hall of the King were lodged all the young Ladies of the Nobility who were the Companions of Rolandine who oftentimes observing the young Prince to look out of the window did by her Governesse advertise the Bastard of it who having taken a full notice of the place did pretend to take great pleasure in reading the Book of the Knights of the Round Table which was in the Chamber of the Prince And when they were all gone to Dinner he desired the Groom of the Chamber to lock him in it that he might read it over assuring him that during his abode in the Chamber nothing should be lost or displaced The Groom knowing him to be a Kinsman of his Masters and an honest Gentleman did give him leave to read as long as he pleased On the other side Rolandine came to the window of the Maids and for no other occasion but to continue there some hours together did counterfeit to have an infirmity in one of her leggs and dined and supped by her self so early that she did not go to the Ordinary of the young Ladies She had begun to make a Bed with Crimson Silk and did fasten the woof to the window where she would abide alone and when she saw that there was none in the Room she entertained her Husband at the window and when any approached she would cough and make a sign by which on the other side the Bastard might draw back from being seen Those who were imployed to watch them did believe for certain that their Love was passed over for she never stirred out of her Chamber where they were sure the Bastard durst not come because he was expresly forbidden it by the Queen One day the Mother of the young Prince being in the Chamber of her Son did go to the window where the great Book was and staid there not long but one of the Companions of Rolandine who was of her own Chamber seeing the Queen at the window over against her did assume the civil boldnesse to salute her and to speak unto her The Queen did ask her how Rolandine did she made answer to her That she should see her if she pleased and caused her to come to the window having a Night-kercher on her head and having spoken some few words to her concerning her Malady they did both withdraw The Queen looking on the great Book of the Round-Table did speak unto the Groom of her Sons Chamber I do wonder that young people can spend their time in reading such follies as these The Groom of the Chamber made answer to her That he more wondred that Gentlemen of Age and Understanding should take greater delight to read it than those of younger years and to give an Instance for his wonder he assured her That the Bastard her Cozen would stay there four or five hours together to look on that goodly Book The Occasion wherefore it was did suddenly touch the apprehension and the heart of the Queen and she gave a charge to the Groom of the Chamber to hide himself in some place to observe what the passages were which he did accordingly and found that the Book which he did read in the window was Rolandâ—ne who came to hold Conference with him and understood many words of desire and love betwixt them which they thought they had kept secret In the morning he acquainted the Mother of the young Prince with it who sent for her Cozen the Bastard and after many Reasons and Remonstrances did expresly forbid him to be seen there any more In the evening she did speak with Rolandine threatning That if she continued any longer in that foolish love she would inform the Queen of it and of all the tâ—ains they had made Rolandine who was nothing 〈◊〉 at it did protest unto her That since the Injunction of the Qu. to the contrary she never spake any word unto him whatsoever she might allege to the contrary and if she pleased she might be satisfied with the truth thereof by her Companions and her Servants and as concerning the window she did talk of she understood not what she meant by it and for her part she did never speak to the Bastard out of it But the Bastard fearing that the affair was revealed did remove himself from the Danger and returned not a long time afterwards to the Court Neverthelesse he did write to Rolandine and so finely contrived a way for the delivery of his Letters that for all the strict watches of the Queen there passed not a week but twice at least she had Intelligence of him And when the Means under a Religious habit by which they oftentimes assisted themselves did fail he sent a little Page sometimes in one Livery sometimes in another who stayed at the door where all the Ladies were to passe and privately in the crowd would deliver his letters unto Rolandine Upon a day when the Queen was gone into the Fields one of the Spies suspecting the Page having a charge narrowly to watch him concerning that affair did run after him but the Page who was as cunning as himself doubting that he would examine search him did run into the house of a poor woman who was making her pot to boyl on the sire into which fire he immediatly did thrust the Letters The Gentleman who did follow him did strip him naked and examined his clouths all over but finding nothing he did let him go When the boy was departed the old woman demanded of him wherefore so rudely he did handle the poor boy He made answer that it was to find some Letters which he thought he had about him You came not soon enough said the old woman to find them for he did hide them where you could not easily find them I pray you said the Gentleman tell me where flattering himself with a great hope to recover them But when he understood that he had hid them in
the fire which had consumed them he understood that the boy was too hard for him and immediately did acquaint the Queen with it The Bastard after this time did never imploy â—his little Page any more but sent an old Servant which he had who forgetting the fear of death threatned by the Queen to any whosoever they were that should be taken in that affair did promise his Master that for all those threatnings he would deliver his Letters unto Rolandine And when he was come into the Castle where she was he addressed himself to a Door at the foot of the stairs where all the Ladies were to passe but one of the Grooms who had seen him elsewhere did presently know him and acquainted one of the Officers of the Queen with it who immediatly came to apprehend him The old Servant of the Bastard being wise and advised observing that a far off they looked upon him did turn himself toward the wall as if he would make water and did tear the Letter into as small pieces as possibly he could and threw them behind the door Immediately he was apprehended and searched all over and when they could find nothing about him they did put him to Interrogatories upon his oath if he brought not any Letters using all rigors and perswasions that possibly they could to make him to confesse the Truth but neither by premises nor by threatnings could they draw any confession from him The Report thereof was made unto the Queen and some of the Company did give advise that it were necessary to look behind the door neer unto which he was taken which was done accordingly and the pieces of the Letters were found for which they sought Immediatly the Confessor of the King was sent for who having put the pieces in order upon the Table did read the Letter all along in which the truth of the marriage so long dissembled was perfectly understoood for the Bastard in many places of it did call her his Wife The Queen who deliberated not with her self to cover the fault of her kinswoman as she ought to doe did raise a great noise and commanded that by all means the poor man should be enforced to confesse the truth of the Letter alleging to him that he could not deny it but all the perswasions they could use and the remonstrances they could make could prevail nothing with him nor change him from his first resolution Those who had the charge of him did bring him to the Bank of a River and did put him into a sack saying that he had lyed against God and the Queen and against the proved truth But he who had rather lose his life than accuse his Master did desire that he might be allowed a Confessor and having satisfied his Conscience as well as he could he said unto them Sirs Tell my Master the Bastard that I commend unto his care the lives of my Wife and of my Children for with a good heart I lay down my own for his service And do with me now what you please for you shall never force one word from me that shall be against my Master Immediatly to put him into a greater fear they did throw him being in the Sack into the water crying out unto him If thou wilt speak the Truth thou shalt be saved but seeing that he would confesse nothing they did draw him out and made a Report of his Constancy to the Queen who immediatly replyed That neither the King her Husband nor her self were so happy in a Servant as was this Bastard who had not wherewith to recompence him and did what she could to disswade him from his service but he would never he said be inforced to abandon his Master Neverthelesse It being his Masters desire he was afterwards admitted into the service of the King where he lived well and happily The Queen after she understood the Truth of the Marriage by the Letter of the Bastard did send to seek out Rolandine and with an angry countenance did oftentimes instead of Cozen call her wicked and unfortunate Creature She shewed her the Dishonour that she had done her Fathers house and to all her Kinred and to her self also to be married without her knowledge and consent Rolandine who a long time did know the little affection which the Queen did bear unto her resolved to answer her with the like and because the Queen was wanting in her love she was resolved there should be no place in her own heart for fear for she knew that this Rebuke given to her before so many Personages did not proceed from any love but only to procure her shame as being one whom she took more pleasure to reproach than grief to see her to transgresse She therefore with a countenance as joyfull and assured as the Queen had shewed an angry and a troubled one did say unto her Madam If you know not your own heart to be such as it is I will represent unto you the ill will which along time you have born unto Mounsier my Father and to my self but you know it so well that it cannot be strange unto you though all the world should doubt it and for my self Madam I have a long time perceived it to my great prejudice For if it had pleased you to grace me as much with your favour as you have done those who are not so near unto you as my self I had been married to your honour and my own but you have left me as one forgotten in your good opinion insomuch that all the good Matches which I might have had are passed from me by the negligence of my Father and by the little esteem which you have had of me by reason whereof I do find my self so forlorn that if my health had permitted me to take upon me the condition of a Nun I had most willingly put on that religious habit to free my self from those continuall afflictions which your rigour hath imposed upon me In this despair it was my fortune to find out him who was of as good and as great a Family as my self He hath a long time loved and courted me but you Madam who never pardoned me for the least fault nor commended me for the greatest good although by experience you do know that I am not accustomed to maintain any discourse of love or of the vanities of this world and that I was altogether retired from it being resolved to lead that life which was most religious doe now find it strange that I should speak unto a Gentleman as unfortunate as my self in whose love I neither desired nor sought for any thing but only some relaxation of my spirit Of which when altogether I beheld my self to be frustrated I did enter into such a despair that I had as great a resolution to procure some case unto my self as you had a desire to take it from me And not long after we entred into a discourse of marriage which was consummated by
her by the hand he said before the Abbesse I understood by divers that Sister Mary delivered her mind in such prompt words and with such a gracefull flourish as if she had received her Education rather at the Court than at a Covent and for this occasion I was constrained against my Nature to discourse with her in the idse way as Men of the World do ordinarily with Women and as I â—ind it written in their Books for in my own experience I am as ignorant as the Day in which I was born and because I conceived that my Age and â—eformity were the occasions that she entertained me always with such a virtuous discourse I commanded a religious young Man to hold such conference with her as I thought was most suitable to her and you see she hath very virtuously resisted the Temptation by reason whereof I do esteem her to be so wise that it is my pleasure that for the time to come she shall be next unto you and Mistresse of the Novices to the end that she may daily advance her self in her good endeavours and increase more and more in virtue This Prank and many others like unto it this good Prior did play for the space of three years together when he was amorous of her who as I have said did give unto her Brother in a Paper through the Grate all the discourse of her dolefull History Her Brother immediatly brought it to his Mother who overcome with the indignity of it did come to Paris where she found the Queen of Navarre the only Sister of the King to whom she represented the Truth of this pitifull Story and said unto her Madam For the time to come trust no more to such Hypocrites I thought I had my Daughter in the High-way to Heaven and the Suburbs of Paradise and I have put her into Hell and into the Hands of the worst Devils that ever were for the Devils do not tempt us but to what we our selves have an Inclination to but these will have us by force whether Love will or no. The Queen of Navarre was in a great perplexity for she reposed a more than ordinary confidence in the Prior of St. Martins having bestowed upon him the charge of the Abbeys of the Mountrevillyes and some other places But the Crime being so odious did strike such a horror into her and did give her such a desire to revenge the Innocence of the poor Virgin that she did communicate it to the Chancellor of the King then Legat in France and sent for the Prior who could make no other Excuse but that he was threescore and ten years of age he Petitioned to the Queen of Navarre that if she would ever vouchsafe any favour to him in recompence of all his services she would be pleased to be a means that the Processe should proceed no further and that he would acknowledge Sister Mary Herouet to be the Pearl of Honour and of Virginity The Queen hearing him was so amazed that she knew not what answer to return unto him but left him on the place the poor Man being confounded in himself did retire into his Priory where he would not permit any one to see him and lived not above one year afterwards And Sister Mary Herouet being esteemed as highly as she did deserve to be for the great virtues with which God had indued her was removed from the Abby of Gif where she indured so much tribulation and made Abbesse by the Gift of the King of the fair Abbey called Gien not far from Montargis which place she reformed and lived full of the Spirit of God praising him throughout the whole course of her life that he at once had bestowed upon her both Rest and Honours Ladies Oserve here a History which may serve to declare the truth of that which the Gospel maketh mention of and St. Paul to the Corinthians That God by weak things doth confound the mighty and by things contemptible to the eys of Men he dazles the glory of those who believed themselves to be something and are indeed lesse than nothing And believe it Ladies that without the Grace of God there is not any Man from whom we may expect the least Goodness nor is there so strong a temptation but by his Grace we may overcome it as you may perceive by the Confusion of this Prior who was accounted a just Man by the exaltation of the other whom he would have made a sinner And in that is verified the saying of our Saviour Who doth exalt himself shall be humbled and who doth humble himself shall be exalted Alas said Oysilla How much hath this Prior deceived the expectations of honest minds for I find by him that he relyed more on himself than on God and what is much to be lamented many are so misguided that they repose more confidence in their Priests than on any Authority either in Heaven or Earth So will not I said Nomerfide for I desire no more conversation with Priests than what of necessity cannot be avoided No doubt said Oysilla but there are amongst them many excellent Men and therefore because some of them are wicked they must not all be judged and you shall find that those who are the best of them doe not frequent either the Houses of Secular Men or the Company of Women You say well said Emarsuite for the lesse we see them the lesse we do know of them and the more we esteem them for it is our daily frequentation with the others that doth shew them what they are But let us leave them as we found them said Nomerfide and let us see to whom Guebron will give his voice It shall be said he to Madam Oysilla for I know she will rehearse unto us something in the honour of these Religious Brothers We have sworn so deeply said Oysilla to speak the Truth that I know not how to maintain any other Subject And in delivering this last Account you have renewed in my memory a very sad History which at this time I shall exhibit to you because I am a Neighbour to the Countrey where in my time this following History did fall out And Ladies to the end that the Hypocrisie of those who esteem themselves to be more religious than others may not inchant your understanding and divert your Faith out of the right way to find salvation in any other but in him alone who will have no Companion in our Creation and Redemption who is Almighty of himself to save us in the life eternal and to comfort us in the life temporal and to deliver us from all our tribulations and because that Satan himself can transform himself into an Angel of Light that therefore the exterior eye being blinded with the apparence of Sanctity and Devotion may not fix it self on those objects which it ought to fly it seems good unto me to give an Account unto you of this memorable History which happened in our
times Three Murders committed in one House that is to say of the Gentleman who was Master of it of his Wife and his Child occasioned by the wickednesse of a Frier The Third Novell IN the County of Perigord there was a Gentleman who had such a Devotion to St. Francis that it seemed to him that all those who did wear that habit ought to be like unto that good Saint In the honour of whom he had caused to be made in his house a Chamber on purpose and a Wardrobe to entertain them and after their counsel he managed all his affairs even almost to the Government of his menial Servants conceiving with himself that both he and they walked surely in treading in the paths of their counsels It so fell out that the Wife of this Gentleman who was fair and no lesse wise than virtuous was brought to Bed of a Son whereby the love which her Husband did bear unto her was doubly augmented And a Feast being prepared the Brother-in-law was sent for The Hour of Supper being come there arrived a Frier whose Name I will conceal for the honour I bear unto Religion The Gentleman was very glad to see his spiritual Father there from whom he did conceal no secret And after much discourse betwixt his Brother-in-law his Wife and himself they did sit down to Supper during which time the young Gentleman looking on his Wife who had a great gracefulnesse with her and beauty enough to render her desirable did speak aloud unto the Frier and propounded the Question to him Father Is it true that a Man sins mortally to lye with his Wife during the moneth that she lyeth in The Frier who had a Countenance and a Tongue contrary to his heart did make answer to him Sir without all controversy it is one of the greatest sins that can be committed in Marriage And this may appear by the Example of the blessed Virgin Mary who would not come into the Temple until after the day of her Purification although she had no need of being purified As much ought you to abstain from a little pleasure seeing to obey the Law the blessed Virgin abstained to enter into the Temple where was all her Consolation Moreover the Doctors of Physick do affirm that there is great danger of the Issue that may ensue thereby When the Gentleman heard those words he was much troubled for he well hoped that his Confessor would have been so far indulgent to him but giving ear unto his counsel he did speak no more unto him The Confessor during this Discourse having drunk a little deeper than was expedient for him and beheld the young Gentlewoman he debated and concluded with himself that if he were her Husband he would not ask the advice of any one whosoever he were when he should lie with his own Wife And as the Fire by little and little doth kindle and encrease its flames until at the last it doth set the whole house on fire so this poor Frier did begin to burn in such a Concupiscence that incontinently he resolved with himself to arrive to the end of that Desire which for above three years together he had carried covered and glowing in his heart After the Table-cloath was taken away he took the Gentleman by the hand and leading him near unto the Bed of his Wife he said unto him before her Sir Because I am assured of the great love that is betwixt you and this young Lady your Wife which together with the heat and lustinesse of your youth doth so much sollicit you I must confesse I have great compassion of you and therefore I will acquaint you with a secret of our Theology which is that the Law how rigorous soever is be by reason of the abuse of indiscreet Husbands will not permit that those who are of a good Conscience as your self should be frustrated of their honest Desires Wherefore Sir in the presence of your People I have laid down before you the Ordinance and seveverity of the Law but from you who are a virtuous Man I will not conceal the sweetnesse of it For know my Son as there are Women and Women so there are Men and Men. In the first place therefore you must demand of the young Lady your Wife that seeing there are but three weeks since she was brought to bed If her flux of blood be yet ceased to which the young Lady made answer That for certain it was and that she was clean Why then said the Frier My Son I give you leave to lie with her without any scruple but you must first promise me two things which the Gentleman did most willingly consent unto The First is said the Confessor That you must not speak the least word but come with all privacie unto her the other is That you approach not to her untill two hours after Midnight that the Digestion of the young Lady be not troubled by your Familiarities The Gentleman did promise to observe this and did swear unto it so solemnly that he who knew him to be a greater Fool than a Lyar was assured in himself that he would keep his word After much variety of Discourse the Frier retired himself into his Chamber bidding them both Good-night and giving them a great Benediction The Gentleman withdrawing himself his Wife took him by the hand and said unto him Without doubt then you will come and will not make your poor Wife to wake any longer The Gentleman kissing her said unto her Sweet-heart Leave your door open which words the Frier heard very well and so they all retired into their own chambers The Frier as soon as he was come into his did take no thought either for sleep or rest but as soon as ever he heard all things quiet in the house it being much about the hour in which he was accustomed to go to Mattens repaired directly and softly to the Chamber where the Gentleman was expected and having found the door half open he finely and suddenly did put out the Candle and lay as close unto his Wife as possibly he could without speaking any word The young Lady thinking it was her Husband did say unto him Sweet-heart you have kept your promise but ill which last night you made unto our Confessor which was that you would not come unto me till two of the clock But the Frier being more intentive to the life that was active than contemplative and withall being afraid that he should be discovered did think more to satisfie his desires which for a long time had impoysoned his heart than to make any answer to her The young Lady was much astonied at it and the Frier finding the hour to approach in which her Husband was to come he did rise from the young Lady and returned suddenly into his own Chamber and as the Fury of his Concupiscence had before taken away all sleep from him so now the guilt of his Fear which always followeth wickednesse would
answer to him What was the occasion that moved you to put my poor Sister who was one of the most virtuous women that ever lived to so ignominious a death and so barbarously to act your Murder as under the prerence of lying with her to strangle her with the Cord of the Bed The Gentleman understanding these words being more dead than alive did say unto him Is it possible Have you seen your Sister in that Estate as you inform me When the other Brother did assure him of it he proceeded and said But what was the Reason that did cause you to forsake your House Whereupon he told him what the wicked Frier had done at which his Brother was much amazed and being sorry at the heart that against all reason he had assaulted him he demanded pardon of him The Gentleman replyed unto him Although you have done the Injury it is I who have the punishment for I am so sorely wounded that I believe I shall not escape with life His Brother-in-law did endeavour the best that possibly he could to help him upon his Horse which being done he did bring him gently to his house where the next morning he died His Brother-in-law confessed before all his Friends and Kinsmen that he was the only occasion of his Death And to satisfie Justice he was counselled to addresse himself to King Francis the first of that Name to demand pardon of him Wherefore having honourably interred the Husband Wife and Infant he repaired on Good Friday to the Court to purchase his Remission and obtained it by the sollicitation of Mr. Francis Oliver who was then Chancellor of Alençon and since for his great Virtues chosen by the King to be Chancellor of France Ladies I believe that understanding this most true History there is not any of you here but will beware and beware again how you lodge such people in your houses and be assured that there is no poyson more dangerous than that which is most concealed Do you not think said Hircan that this Husband was a very Fool to bring such a gallant to Supper and to sit near to such a fair and virtuous Lady I have known in my time said Guebron that there was not a House in our Country in which there was not a Chamber set apart for these Friers but now they are so well known that they do fear them more than before they loved them It seems to me said Parlament that a Woman being in bed unlesse it were in case of necessity to administer the Sacrament unto her there ought not to come either Frier or Priest into her Chamber and when I send for any of them you may well judge me to be in a very dangerous condition If all the world were as severe as you said Emarsuite the poor Priests would be worse than Excommunicated being to be deprived of the sight of Women Take no care for that said Saffredant for it will never come to passe No said Simontault It is they who by marriage do tie us unto Women and by their wickednsse do attempt again to untie the knot and tempt us to break the Oath which we have made unto them It is great pity said Oysilla that they to whom are committed the Administration of the Sacraments should play thus fast and loose they deserve to be burned alive But let us proceed and see who shall have the voice of Oysilla I give it said she and the Speakers place with it to Dagoucin for I perceive him to enter into a Contemplation which as it seems to me doth promise to give us some good account Although I neither can nor dare speak said Dagoucin what I think I will nevertheless give you the Account of One to whom Cruelty first brought loss and afterwards advantage For although Love doth esteem himself so great and mighty that he will go stark naked and it is a thing at the first troublesom unto him and afterwards insupportable to be covered yet it so falls out that they who oftentimes to obey his counsel have advanced too soon to discover themselves have been found to be but bad Merchants as it happened â—â—o a Gentleman of Castile whose History I will give unto you The fine Invention of a Gentleman to declare his love unto a Queen and what became of it The Fourth Novell IN the Court of the King and Queen of Castile whose Names shall not be expressed there was a Gentleman so exquisit in his Complexion and proportion of Body and the sweetnesse of Condition that in all Spain there was not an Equal to him Every one had his Virtues in admiration but admired more the strange Conditions of him for it was never known that he loved or served any Lady and although there were in the Court so great and so fair a number of them that they were able to melt the very Ice it self yet not any of them had the power to captivat the heart of this Gentleman whose Name was Elisor The Queen who was a Lady of great Virtue but not altogether exempt from the Flame which the lesse it is known the more it burneth observing this Gentleman who courted not any one of all the Ladies in her Court did much wonder at him and one day demanded of him If it were possible that he did love so little as he did make the world to believe He made answer to her that if she could see his Heart as well as his Countenance she would not propound that question to him She desiring to know what it was that he would confesse did presse him so much that he acknowledged to her that he did indeed love a Lady and the most virtuous one in all Christendom She used all her power by Intreaties and Commands to understand who it was but she could not learn it of him Whereupon seeming to be angry with him she did swear That she would never speak vnto him more if he would not give her the Name of that Lady whom so much he loved at which he was so much perplexed that he was constrained to professe unto her That he had rather die than confesse unto her who it was but seeing that he should be deprived of her respects and favour if he should not acknowledge the Truth unto her which was so honest that it could not be taken in ill part by any he said unto her in a great fear Madam I have neither the force nor the boldnesse to declare it to you but the first time that you go a hunting I will shew you her be you assured that you will believe her to be the fairest the most accomplished Lady in the world This answer being made the Qâ— did go a hunting sooner than she was accustomed and Elisor being advertised of it did prepare himself to wait upon her and had caused to be made a great Mirror of Christal in the fashion of a Corslet and having buckled it to his Brest he did cover it with a
Coat of black Frize richly imbroydered with Gold and Silver purle He was mounted on a black Horse richly trapped with all the gallant furniture that belonged to a Horse The trappings were all covered with Gold and with a Morresk work enamell'd with black His Cloak was of black Silk on the shoulder thereof was a badge most curiously wrought and adorned with precious stones where he had for a Devise Love covered by force His sword and his poynado were no lesse beautifull and set forth with as rich devices To be short he was compleat cap a pei'd and most remarkable when he was on horsback and knew so well to manage his Horse that all those who did observe him neglected the recreation of hunting to observe the Courses and Corvettoes which he made Having in those Courses brought the Queen unto the place where the Nets were pitched he alighted from his Horse and came to assist the Queen as she was alighting who stretching forth her arms unto him he opened his Coat and taking her in his arms did shew her his Corslet where the Mirror was and said unto her Madam I beseech you to behold your self in it and without attending any answer he did set her softly on the Ground The Hunting being ended the Queen returned to the Castle without speaking one word to Elisor but after Supper she sent for him and told him That he was the greatest Lyar that she ever knew for he had promised her faithfully to shew that Lady in the Chace unto her whom he most loved which he had not performed wherefore she resolved with her self not to esteem him any more Elisor fearing that the Queen had not understood what he had said unto her did make answer That he had performed what he promised for he had not only shewed her the woman but that part of her which he loved best The Queen pretending not to understand him did reply unto him That she did not remember that he had shewed any one of her Ladies to her It is true said Elisor But what did I show unto you as you were alighting from your Horse Nothing said the Queen but only a fair Glass upon your Brest And what did you behold in that Mirror said Elisor I saw nothing but my own face said the Qu. Elisor said unto her then Madam in obedience to your Commandment I have fulfilled my promise for there shall be never any other representation in my heart but that which you saw upon my Brest it is that only whom I love reverence adore not as a Woman but as a Goddesse upon Earth into whose hands I do put both my Life and Death beseeching you that my most entire and absolute affection which was all my Life as long as I concealed it may not prove my Death by my discovering it And if I am not worthy to be regarded and accepted as your Servant at least permit that I may live as I have been accustomed to do upon the Contentment I have to behold you my heart having been so bold to chuse so high so perfect and so Majestick a place for the foundation of its love of which I can have no other satisfaction but to know that my love is so great and absolute that I am contented only to love although I am not be beloved again And if it doth not please you by the knowledge of my great love to have me more agreeable to you and to affect me more than heretofore at the least take not my life from me which consisteth in the happinesse I have to see you as I have been accustomed to do If you please to look upon me with more rigor you will have one servant lesse and lose the most affectionate one which you ever had or ever can have The Qu. whether to shew her self what she was not or else all along to make more trial of the love which he did bear unto her or whether she loved some other Servant whom she would not leave for him or else to reserve him untill he whom she had loved had done some fault and then afterwards to receive him into his place did speak unto him with a countenance neither angry nor yet contented Elisor Being ignorant of the authority of Love I do not demand of you what folly did betray you into so great so high and so dangerous a humor as to be in love with me for I know that the heart of Man is so little at Mans Commandement that he cannot make it either to hate or to love as he himself would But because you have so well declared your mind I desire to know how long it is since you first did begin to love me Elisor observing her to smile upon him and that she inquired after his Malady did well hope that she would vouchsafe some remedy unto him but beholding on a sudden her countenance to change again he was struck with a fear thinking himself to be before a severe Judge who was ready to pronounce sentence upon him Howsoever he took the confidence to assure her that his love had taken a deep root in his heart ever since his childhood but it did not burn within him to make him feel the pain thereof but the last seven years and he said he could not properly call it a pain but rather a Malady which gave such a contentment that the recovery from it was Death Since it is so said the Queen that you have laboured in so great a trial I ought to be no more light to believe it than you have been to expresse it wherefore if it be as you say I will make such a proof of it that afterwards I shall have no reason to doubt it and this proof being made I shall esteem you to be such unto me as you your self do swear you are and I knowing you to be such as you say you shall find me to be such as you desire Elisor besought her to make what proof of him she pleased for there was nothing so difficult that should not be very easie to him to obtain that great happinesse that she might know and be assured of the affection which he did bear unto her and besought her to command him that which she would have don She said unto him Elisor If you do love me as much as you affirm I am assured that to enjoy my favour nothing can be too hard for you Wherefore I command you by all your desires to have it and your fears to lose it that without seeing me any more you do depart the Court to morrow and retire into some place where you may not hear from me nor I have any tidings of you for seven following years You who have already passed seven years in this love do know in your self that you love me When I have had the like expecience of it for seven other years I shall know and believe that which your words cannot make me to understand much
lesse to believe Elisor hearing this cruell Commandment doubted on the one side that if he should stay she would remove him from her presence and on the other side hoping that the Event would speak better for him than her words he did accept the Command and said unto her Since I have lived seven years without any hope at all having concealed this fire now it is known unto you I shall bear and passe away these seven years to come with more patience But Madam in obeying your Commandment by which I am deprived of all the happinesse I have in the world what hope will you give me at the end of seven years when you have found me to be your faithful and your loyal Servant The Queen taking a ring from off her finger did say unto him Behold this Ring which I do give you Break it in the middle and you shall keep one half thereof and I the other to the end that if the length of time shall take away from my memory the knowledg of your face I may know it by that half part of the Ring which you shall keep Elisor did take the Ring and did break it in two pieces and gave one part thereof to the Queen and kept the other himself and taking his leave of her more dead than those who have render'd up their souls he departed to his Lodgings to take order for his journey which he performed in such a manner that he sent all his train from the Court to his own House and did travel himself attended but with one servant into a place so solitary that not any of his Kinred or his Friends for the space of seven long years did know where he was or heard the least tidings of him The life he did lead during that time and the afflictions he endured by reason of his absence cannot be known howsoever those that perfectly do sove cannot but in some measure be acquainted with them At the full end of seven years just as the Queen was going to hear Masse a Hermit with a great beard came unto her who kissing her hand did present her with a Petition which on the sudden she did not take the pains to look on although she was accustomed with her own hands to take all the Petitions that were presented to her how poor soever they were that did present them When the Masse was half said she opened the Petition and in the fust place found inclosed in it that part of the Ring which she had given unto Elisor whereat she was transported with as much Joy as Amazement and having read what was contained in the Petition she suddenly commanded her Almoner to bring the Hermit to her who had presented that Petition The Almoner did seek him every where but he could hear no tidings of him but only that he was seen to take horse but which way he did go it was impossible to be known The Queen did read the Petition over and over attending the answer of her Almoner and found also a Letter inclosed in it most excellently penned the substance whereof was to shew the strange effects which time had produced in renewing and resining the affections and changing a Love Temporal into a Love Spiritual and Eternal This Epistle was not read without many tears and a great amazement accompanyed with a grief incomparable For she thought that the losse she received in a servant full of so perfect love ought to be esteemed so great that neither all her Exchequer nor the Kingdom it self could take from her the title of being the most poor and most miserable Lady in the world because she had lost that which no treasure could redeem And having heard Masse she returned unto her Chamber and by her self alone did make so great a lamentation as her Cruelty did deserve And there was neither Mountain Rock or Fortest whither she did not send to find out this Hermit but he who had taken him from her hands did preserve him from falling into them again and did receive him into Paradise so that in this world she could hear no more tidings of him By this Example no Servant ought to confesse that which can do him no good and may assuredly hurt him And much lesse Ladies ought you by reason of your Incredulity to demand a proof so dissicult that in having it you may lose the life of your Servant Truly Dagoucin said Guebron I have heard that Lady highly commended as the most virtuous Princesse in the world who imposed this task upon her servant as a proof of his Fidelity but now I shall believe her to be the most foolisâ— and the most cruel that ever was Neverthelesse in my opinion said Parlament she did him no great wrong to make a proof of him for seven years if he loved so much as he professed for men are so accustomed to dissemble that before we trust them if at all we must trust them we cannot make too long a proof of them Ladies said Hircan are now a great deal more wise than heretofore they were for in seven dayes proof they have now as much assurance of a Servant as they had heretofore in seven years And yet there are some in this Company said Longaren who seven years together have been courted and have endured all the proofs of the Harquâ—buse and yet their love could never be obtained They ought then said Simontault to be number'd in the rank of the sormer times for in these dayes they are not to be received Howsoever it was said Oysilla the Gentleman was much obliged to the Lady by whose means he was reclamed from the vanity of Terrestrial love and wholly devoted his heart to God He met with an extraordinary happinesse said Saffredant to sind God on the Highways for seeing the affliction he had on him I do much wonder that he did not give himself to the Devil Why then when you are ill intreated of the Ladie you do love said Emarsuite do you wish the Devil take you A thousand and a thousand times said Saffredant but the Devil seeing that all the forments in Hell cannot make me more miserable than the torments wherewith she afflicts me will not vouchsafe to take me knowing well enough that there is no Devil so insupportable as a Lady that is loved and will not love again If you are of that opinion said Parlament to Saffredant if I were as you I would never have any thing to do with any Woman My assection to the Sex hath been always such saith Saffredant and my Error so great that I hold my self thrice happy to serve there where my service is most undervalued For the treachery and cruelty of Women cannot overcome the love which I bear unto them But I pray tell me in your Conscience Do you commend that Lady for her so great rigor Yes said Oyfilla for I believe that she would neither love nor yet be loved If she had that resolution said Simontault
wherefore did she give him such a promise to entertain him after the seven years were passed I am of your opinion said Longaren for those who for love will not return love again will give no occasion of love to those that bear love unto them It may be said Nomerfide that she loved another who was in deserts far inserior to this honest Gentlemen and that she left the better for the worse Upon my credit said Saffredant I conceive that hereby she made good provision for her self to take him in an hour when she had left off the other whom peradventure at that present she loved better I see very well said Oysilla that the more we examine and debate upon this Subject the more those who will have all things go on their side will take occasion to speak the worst of us that possibly they can wherefore Dagoucin I request you to give your voice to some one I do give it said he to Longaren being assured that she will acquaint us with some grateful novelty and will not to speak the Truth forbear either Man or woman Since you do esteem me to be so impartial said Longaren I will assume the hardinesse to acquaint you with the Fortune which happened to a very great Prince who in virtue surpassed all others of his time Understand withall that the thing which we ought least to use but in the case only of extreme Necessity is Dissimulation It is a Vice both vile and infamous especially amongst Potencates and Princes in the mouths and countenances of whom Truth is far more becomming than in any other person But there is no Frince so great although he hath all the honours and the riches that he can desire who is not subject unto the Empire and the Tyranny of Love insomuch that the more noble the Prince is and of greater spirit the more Love delighteth to make him to stoop under his powerful hand for that wanton and glorious little God doth take no care of small or common things and his Majesty doth make it his exercise every day to do wonders as to make weak the strong and to make strong the weak to give understanding to the ignorant and to take it away from the wise to savour passions and to destroy reason and all his delight is in such changes And because Princes are not exempt from love no more are they from the extremity into which the servitude of Love doth throw them And therfore by force they may be permitted to use Dissimulation hypocrifie and fiction which are the means to overcome their Enemies according to the Doctrine of Master Iohn de-Moon And since in such an act the Condition of a Prince is pardonable which in no other act is to be allowed because it layes them open to Disrepute I will in this place give an account unto you of the Inventions of a young Prince by which he deceived those who are accustomed to deceive all the world The subtilty which a great Prince used to delight himself in the Company of the Wife of an Advocate of Paris The Fifth Novell IN the City of Paris there was an Advocate more esteemed than nine Men of his profession and by reason of his great sufficiency being sought after by all he was the richest man of all those of his Robe who finding that he had no children by his first Wife did hope to have issue by his second And although his Body was old and dryed up yet his heart and his hope were not dead wherefore he did choose to wife a young Geutlewoman of the City of about eighteen or nineteen years of Age very fair and of a delicat complexion whom he loved and tendred as much as possibly he could but she had no more Children by him than he had by the former which at the last did much trouble her Wherefore her youth which was not suitable to Melancholy did cause her to seek out recreations in other places than in her own house and she repaired oftentimes to Feasts and Dancings but she always deported her self so civilly that her Husband could not entertain any bad opinion of her For she was alwayes in the company of those in whom he had great confidence Being one day invited to a Marriage there was present a great Prince who in rehersing the account did for bid me to use his name But I may well say unto you that he was so brave a Prince and of such a Grace that the like was never seen before in France nor ever I do believe will after him be seen again This Prince beholding this young Gentlewoman whose eys and whose Countenance did incite him to affect her did come unto her and did court her with such fine language that she her self was much taken with him and it and did not conceal from him that for a long time she had that love in her heart for which he did intreat her and that he should not take pains to perswade her to that to which at the first sight Love had made her to consent The young Prince by the courage of Love having obtained that happinesse the purchase whereof did well deserve a longer time he thanked the blind little God who so much favoured him And after that hour he so well followed his affair that they did both agree upon the means how they might come together without the observation of any The place and time being agreed upon the young Prince did not fail to come and to preserve the honour of the Gentlewoman he did come disguized but by reason of the dissolute boyes who did run up and down the streets in the night by whom he would not be known he took some Gentlemen with him to attend him And in the entrance into the street where she lived he did dismisse them saying to them If you hear no noise at all within this quarter of an hour you may retire into your own lodgings and about three or four hours hence fail not to expect me in this place again This they did accordingly and hearing not any noise they withdrew themselves into their own Chambers The young Prince did directly take his Course to the House of his Advocate and found the Door open as it was promised him But going up the stairs he did meet with her Husband by reason whereof he was more seen than he desired Neverthelesse Love which giveth understanding and boldnesse in the greatest necessities did so dispose it that the young Prince came directly to him and said Monsieur the Advocate You know the confidence which I and all those of my House do repose in you and that I do esteem you to be one of the best and most faithfull Servants that I have I was willing to come privatly to you to visit you as well to recommend my affairs unto you as to desire a Cup of your wine for I stand in need of it and not to acquaint any whomsoever that I am here for
from this place I must immediatly go into an other where I would not be known The good Man the Advocate was so glad of tho Honour which the Prince had done him to come so privatly unto his house that he brought him to his Chamber and gave a charge to his Wife with all speed to make ready a Collation of the best fruits and Confects that she had This most willingly she did and brought him the best banquet that in so short a time she possibly could provide And although her Night habit in which she was drest did render her most lovely and desirable yet the young Prince did make a semblance before her Husband nor to regard her at all but did speak to him altogether concerning his affairs as having alwayes managed them for him And as the Gentlewoman on her knees did hold the Confects to the Prince and her Husband did go to the Cupbord to fetch him some Wine she whispered to him that at his going our of the chamber he should not fail to go into the Wardrobe on the right hand where as soon as possibly she could she would come to him When ever he had drank he rose up and thanked the Advocate who was very importunate with him to attend him to the door of his House but he would not give way unto it assuring him that whither he was going he had no need of his Company and turning to the Advocates Wife he said unto her Neither will I do you so much wrong as to take away your good Husband from you who is one of my most antient servants you are so happy in him that you have occasion to thank God for him and to serve him and obey him and if you shall do otherwise you will be too blame The young Prince speaking these words did depart and shutting the door after him that he might not be followed to the stairs did enter into the wardrobe where after her Husband was asleep the fair Wife came and did lead him into a Cabinet the best accommodated that possibly could be although the two best pictures whatsoever habiliments they had on them were her and himself there I make no doubt but she performed all the promises which she had made unto him from whence about the hour in which his Gentlemen were commanded to attend him he retired and found them waiting for him in the same place accordingly as he had enjoyned them And because this life continued a long time the young Prince did find out a neerer way to goe unto her which was to passe through a Monastery having prevailed with the Prior that every night about midnight the Porter should open the door unto him and likewise when he returned And because the House whither he did go was contiguous to the Monastery he took not any with him to attend him And although he did lead this life as I have told you yet this Prince for all that did fear and love God and though he never made any stay when he did go through the Monastery yet on his return he never failed to continue in the Church a long time in the exercise of prayers which gave a great occasion to the religious Men who going in and comming forth from their Mattens did see him alwayes upon his knees to esteem him to be the most holy Young man in the world This Prince had a Sister who did much frequent this Religious place and loving her Brother more than all the creatures in the world did commend him to the prayers of all the religious personages she did know And one day most affectionately commending him to the Prior of the said Monastery he said unto her Alas Madam what is that which you command me you talk to me of your Brother as of a man of the world in whose prayers I have more need to have my self recommended for if he be not holy and religious and sure to go to heaven repeating that place of Scripture that Happy is he who can do evil and will not I have no hope to be there at all His Sister who had a labouring desire to understand what knowledge this Prior had of the goodnes of her Brother did press upon him with such importunities that under the veil of Confession he acknowledged the Secret moreover said her Is it not indeed wonderfull to behold so lovely so yong a Prince to abandon his pleasures and his rest to come so constantly to hear our Mattens for not as a Prince seeking the honour of this world but as one sincerely Religious he comes every morning one hour after midnight by himself into one of our Chapels Without all question that piety of his doth render my self and my Brethren so confounded that in comparison of him we ought not to be esteemed by any nor indeed are worthy to be called Religious His Sister who understood these words could not but believe it for notwithstanding that her Brother had no relation to Orders Ecclesiastical yet she knew that he had a good Conscience and a great faith and love in God but that he did repair to the Church so constantly and in such an hour she had not the least imagination of it Wherefore she came unto him and telling him of the good opinion that the religious Men had of him he could not forbear from laughing outright and with such a countenance that she who knew him as well as her own heart did know that there was some mystery in that Devotion and did never leave him till he acknowledged the truth unto her which is such as I have here put down in writing and which he did me the honour to account unto me By this Ladies you may know that neither the crast of the Lawyer nor the cunning of the Divine can privilege them but Love in the case of Necessity can deceive them and since Love can deceive the deceivers we poor ignorant creatures ought well to stand in fear of it And me-thinks said Guebron if I may speak what I think that he is to be commended in that thing for we find but sew of those great personages who have any care at all to save the benour of women or to desend them or themselves from publick soandal nay oftentimes they are the cause that we think worse of Ladies than indeed there is reason for Truly said Oysilla I could wish that all young Lords and Princes would take example by him for oftentimes the scandal is more than the sin Do you think said Nomerfide that the prayers which he made in the Monastery thorough which he passed were well grounded You ought not to be a Judge said Parlament for it may be that on his Return his Repentance was such that his sin was forgiven him It is a hard task said Hircan to repent of so pleasant a sin As for my self I have often confessed but repented but a little It were better said Oysilla not to confess at all unless
you had a true repentance O Madam said Hircan the sin indeed hath much displeased me and I have been sorry that I have offended God but the pleasure hath pleased me You and such as are like unto you said Parlament would have neither God nor Laws but such only as your affections do prescribe unto you I must confesse said Hircan I could wish with all my heâ—rt that God took as great pleasure in my pleasures as I my self do You must not make to your self any new God said Guebron but be careful to obey him whom you have but let us leave this disputation to the Divines and let Longaren give her voice to some one else I do give it she said to Saffredant but I must intreat him to give us the best account that he can call to mind of Women and that he would not regard so much to speak evil of them as to conceal the truth when good is to be spoken of them Yruly said Saffredant I do consent unto you for I have in my hand an example of a wise Woman and a foolish one you may take that example which shall most please you and you shall understand that as in the hearts of the wicked love doth work wickedness's so in an honest he art it doth produce things worthy of prâ—ise For love of it self is good and it is the iniquity of the subject that oftentimes doth make it take the sirname of foolish light cruel or outragious Neverthelesse by this History which I shall account unto you it will easily appear that love doth not change the heart at all but doth shew it such as it is foolish unto the fools and wise unto the wise The pleasant discourse of a great Signior and the fine invention which he used to delight himself with a Lady of Pampelone The sixth Novel IN the reign of Lewis the twelfth there was a young Signior called Monsieur D' Avanes the Son of Monsieur Alebret brother to King Iohn of Navarre with whom the said Signior D' Avanes had his ordinary residence This young Signior was about fifteen years of age so lovely and graceful that it seems he was not made but to be loved and honoured which he was by all those whoever saw him and above all by a Gentlewoman living in the City of Pampelone in Navarre who was married there to a very rich man with whom she lived in a good and a great repute and although she was not above three and twenty years of age yet because her Husband was above fifty she did attire her self so modestly that she seemed by her dresse to be rather a Widdow than a young married Woman and never did any one see her go to Wedding or Feast without her Husband whose virtue and goodnesse she did so much esteem that she preferred it to the youth and lovelinesse of all others Her Husband finding her so discreet had such a confidence in her that he committed to her care and charge all the affairs of his house One day this rich man with his Wife was invited to the marriage of one of his kinted in which the more to honour the Nuptials there was the young Signior of Avanes who naturally loved dancings in which exercise of delight there was none that could surpasse him After dinner when the Mask began the rich man desired Signior D' Avanes to dancent the Signior demanded of him what Lady he should lead who made answer to him Sir if there were any here more lovely or more at my commandment than my own wife I would present her to you and I beseech you that you would do me the honour as to lead my Wife in the dance which the young Prince did but his youth at that time was so unexperienced that he took more pleasure to vault and cut capers than to regard the beauty of the Ladies And on the contrary she whom he did lead did more reguard the beauty and gracefulnesse of the said Signior than the dance in which she was although her discretion was such that she made not the least appearance of it The hour of Supper being come Signior D' Avanes did bid adieu to the company and returned to the Castle to which place the rich man did accompany him being mounted on his Mule and in the way he said unto him Sir you have this day done so great an honour to my self and to my kinred that in me it would be ingratitude if with all my fortunes I should not offer my self to do you service Sir I know very well that such young Lords as you who hard and covetous Fathers have oftentimes more need of money than we who keeping but a poor train and an ordinary house do think more of the heaping of it up than which way to lay it forth Sir so is is that God having given me a Wife according to my own desire hath not only in this World given me my Paradise being frustrated of those hopes and joys which Parents have of their Children Sir I know that it is too much honour to me to adopt you as my child but if you please to receive me for a Servant and declare unto me what your occasions are I will not fail to be ayding to you in your necessities as far as one hundred thousand Crowns will stretch Monsieur Avanes was very joyful of this offer for he had such a Father as the rich man had character'd and having heartlly thanked him he called him Father by alliance From the same hour the rich man did take such affection to Signior D' Avanes that Evening and Morning he did not fail to send unto him to hnow if he stood in need of any thing And he concealed not from his Wife the Devotion he had to Signior D' Avanes which made her doubly to love him and after that hour the Signior had of him whatsoever he desired He oftentimes would repair to the rich mans house to eat and drink with him and when he was not at home his Wise would give unto him whatsoever with reason he desired and moreover would speak so discreetly to him admonishing him to be virtuous that he stood in fear of her and did love her more than all the Women in the World She who had God and her Honour before her eyes was contented with his sight and to heat him speak unto her in which consists the satisfaction of honesty and true love insomuch that she never gave him any sign whereby he might conceive or judge that she did bear any other affection to him but what was pious and fraternal During this covered Love Monsieur D' Avanes having received the large supplies above-spoken was very gorgeous in his cloaths and maintained a gallant Equipage and being about eighteen years of Age he began to court Ladies and to seek after them more than he was accustomed to do And although he had rather make love to this wise young Gentlewoman than to any other yet the
fear he had to lose her love if she should understand his Intents did cause him to hold his peace and to think where to place his affections somewhere elfe In this resolution he did address himself to a young Lady not far from Pampelone who had a house also in that City and was newly married to a young man who above all things did love horses and doggs and hawks For the love of her Signior D' Avanes began to make a thousand pastimes as Turnaments Horse-races Masks Feasts and other sports at all which this young Lady would be alwayes present But because her Husband was very phantastical her Father and Mother being jealous of her honour because they knew her to be beautiful and of a frolick disposition did keep her so close that Signior D' Avanes could have nothing of her but now and then some few words when they danced together although in a small time he did easily perceive that to the compleating of their loves there was nothing wanting but Time and place Wherefore he came to his good Father the rich Man and told him that he had a great Devotion to go visit our Lady of Mont-serral desiring him till his return to take into his House all his servants because he had a desire to travel alone to which the Gentleman consented But his Wife who had in her heart that great Prophet called Love did incontinently suspect the truth of the voyage and could not contain her self from speaking to him and said Monsieur the Lady which you are going to adore is not out of the walls of this City wherefore above all things I do beseech you to have a care of your health especially of the health of your soul He who did both fear and love her did blush so much to hear those words that without speaking any thing his cheeks did confesse the truth thereof unto her and upon that he departed and having bought two gallant Spanish Jennets he disguized himself in the habite of a Hors-keeper and so discoloured his face that none could know him The Gentleman who was Husband to this foolish Lady who above all things loved Horses having beheld those two which Signior D' Avanes had brought with him did incontinently buy them and having well looked upon the Horsekeeper that did bring them he demanded of him if he had a mind to serve him Signior D' Avanes made answer Yes and told him That he was a poor young Man that had no other way to live but only by dressing and looking to Horses in which he could so well acquit himself that he was most consident that he would rest content The Gentleman being very glad of it did give him the charge of all his Horses and entring into his house he told his Wife That being to go unto the Castle he did recommend his Horses and his Horsman to her The young Lady as well to please her Husband as having no other recreation did go unto the Stable and looked upon the Horses and observed the new Horsekeeper who seemed to her to be a very handsome young Man but she had not the least knowledge of him He when he perceived that he was not known by her did approach to make his reverence to her after the manner of Spain and having taken her by the hand he kissed it and kissing of it did lock her hand so fast in his that presently she knew him for in dancing with her heretofore he oftentimes would use the same From that time the young Lady ceased not to seek out some place where she might discourse with him by her self which she did the very same Evening for being invited forth to a Feast whither her Husband would have her to go with him she feigned that she was sick and not able to go Her Husband who would not disappoint his friends did say unto her Sweet-heart Since you are not pleased to go with me I pray have a care of my Dogs and my Horses and see that they want nothing The young Lady found this Commission very agreeable unto her and without making any other apparence she said unto him That seeing he would not imploy her in any better business she would make him understand in the meanest services how much she desired to be complacent to him Her Husband was no sooner out of the Gate but she came down into the Stable where she found divers faults and to redresse them she imployed all her Grooms on so many errands that she remained alone with the Master Horsekeeper And for fear that any one should interrupt her she said unto him Go into the Garden and stay a little in the Cabinet which is at the end of the Allee Which he so readily performed that he had not the leisure to thank her and after she had given orders to all the Grooms of the Stables she did go to see the Doggs taking the like care that they might want nothing sitting for Doggs to have insomuch that of a Mistresse she was become a servant-maid Returning to her Chamber she sound her self so weary that immediately she did go to bed saying that she would take a little rest and all her women left her excepring one whom she trusted to whom she said Go into the Garden and bring him hither to me whom you shall find at the end of the Allee The Chamber-maid did go thither where she found the Master Horse-keeper whom she brought immediately to the Lady who commanded the Maid to go forth and watch when her Husband did come Signior D' Avanes seeing himself alone with the Lady did despoil himself of the habiliments of a Horse-keeper he took off his false Nose and his false beard and not as a fearful Horse-keeper but as a gallant young Signior without demanding any leave of the Lady he did leap boldly into the bed to her where he was received as the bravest young man that was in those days by the most wanton of all the Ladies of that Country and he continued with her until such time as her Husband did return of which having timely notice he did put on his disguises and forsook the pleasures which by subtilty he usurped The Gentleman coming into the Court did understand the diligence which his Wife had used to obey him and gave her many thanks for it Sweet-heart said the Lady I have but only done my duty but it is true that if a narrow eye be not had over those naughty boys you will not have a Horse but will be lean nor a Dog but will be mangy But since I understand their sloth and your good will they shall be better look'd unto than they were ever heretofore The Gentleman who thought he had got the best Horse-keeper in the World demanded of her what she thought of him I assure you Sir said she that he understands himself as well as any Servant you could have chosen but he had need to be followed and rouzed up for he is one
of the most drouzy Knaves that ever I saw And thus the Husband and the Lady did continue in greater Love than heretofore and forgat all the suspition and jealousie which he had of her for before she loved Feasts dancings and the keeping of company and now she did keep altogether at home and was contented oftentimes to wear nothing but a loose Gown next unto her smock when before she was at least four hours in dressing her head For this she was beloved by her Husband and by all the World and thus under the veil of Hypocrisie and the reputation of being virtuous this yong Lady lived in such pleasure that neither Reason Conscience Order or Measure had any more place in her which the young and delicate complexion of Signior D' Avanes could not long indure for he became so pale and lean that without wearing a disguise one might well be deceived in the knowledge of his countenance neverthelesse the fond love which he did bear unto the Woman did rendet his sen ses so stupid and lost that he still presumed on his strength which by this excesse would have failed him although he had a body as strong as was the body of Hercules And being at the last constrained by his weaknesse and advised to it by the Lady who did not love him so well being weak and sickly as when he was lusty and in health he demanded leave of his Master to go unto his friends which to his great grief he condescended to and Signior D' Avanes saithfully promised him that when ever he was recovered he would return again to his service In this manner he did goe away on foot for he had to travel but the length of one street and as soon as he was arrived at the house of the rich man he found none at home but his Wife whose virtuous love which she did bear unto him was nothing diminished by his voyage but when she beheld him so lean and so discoloured she could not forbear from speaking to him Monsieur I know not how it goes with your Conscience but your Body is not any thing the better for your pilgrimage and I doe much fear that the way in which you have travelled by night hath been more hurtful to you and hath wearied you more than all your travells by day for if you had gone on foot to Jerusalem you might have returned more comforted in your self but not more lean and feeble in your Body therefore with whomsoever you have been account her but an Idoll and serve no more such Images who instead of raising from the dead do make the living look as if they were in the number of the dead I should speak more unto you but if your Body hath transgressed I do find it to be somuch punished that I have pity to add any new affliction to you When Signior Avanes had understood those words he was no less sorrowful thaâ— ashamed and said unto her Madam I have elsewhere heard it spoken That Repentance doth follow sin so close that it even treads on the heels of it and I have now proved it by my own expence and I must beseech you to excuse my youth which could not otherwise be instruct but by making tryal of that Evil which it did not believe The Lady changing her Discourse did bring him to a very rich bed and did perswade him to repose himself in it where he continued for the space of fifteen dayes and fed on nothing but Restoratives and was so attended both by her Husband and her self that one of them were always with him and although against the will and counsel of the wise young Lady he had committed the follies which you have heard yet she never diminished that virtuous Love which she did bear unto him For she hoped that having passed away his first dayes in vanities he would retire himself to the conversation of an honest love by which means she should have him altogether with her And during the fifteen dayes which he continued in her House she did give him such good Instructions tending to the love of Virtue that he began to entertain a horror and an indignation against the follies he had committed And looking on this Lady who in beauty surpassed the other and observing more and more the graces and the Virtues which were in her he could not chuse one day although obscurely enough to chace all fear from him and to speak unto her Madam I find no other means to be so virtuous as you demonstrate to me and desire me to be than to frame my heart to be altogether amorous of virtue And I must beseech you Madam to inform me if therein you will not give me all the aid and advice that possibly you can The Lady being very joyful to hear him enter into such discourse did say unto him Sir I do promise and assure you That if you will be in love with virtue as it belongeth to so great a Lord as you are I will serve you to attain unto it with all the faculties and the power which God hath given me Well Madam said Signior D' Avanes remember your promise and understand that God unknown to Christians but by Faith only hath vouchsafed to assume unto him flesh like unto the flesh of a sinner to the end that taking our flesh upon him by the love of his Humanity he might also draw our Souls unto him by the love of his Divinity and is willing to serve himself with things visible to cause us by Faith to love things invisible In the like manner This Virtue which all my life I do desire to love is a thing invisible and lodged within us is not to be known but only by her effects wherefore it is necessary that she assumes some body to be known amongst Men which she hath done and hath invested her self in your body it being the most pure and the most accomplished that she could find whereupon I do acknowledge and confesse you not not only virtuous but Virtue her self and I who do observe her to shine in the veil of the most perfect body that ever was which is yours will serve her and honour her all my life abandoning all other love that is vain and vicious The Lady no lesse contented than amazed to hear these words to proceed from him did so well dissemble her Joy that she said unto him Sir I will not take upon me to answer your Theology but as she who is more fearing the Evil than believing the Good I must beseech you that on my behalf you will for bear this Discourse I know very well that I am a Woman and not only as all others are but so imperfect also that Virtue should do a greater Act to transform me into Her than to assume my form unlesse she would be altogether unknown in this world for under such a Body as is mine Virtue cannot be known to be such as she is Sir so it is
and see him hoping also that his sight would conduce something to the health of his Wife Signior D' Avanes having received the Letter did make no delay at all and came in Post to the House of his Father At the entrance into the house he found the Men servants and the Maid servants making so great a lamentation as the losse of so good a Mistresse did deserve whereat the Signior was so amazed that he stayed at the door like a man in a trance the good old man his Father seeing him did make hast to imbrace him and began to weep so abundantly that he was not able to speak one word He brought him into the Chamber where his Wife was who turning her languishing eyes towards him did give him her hand and drawing him with it towards her with all the strength she had she imbraced him and kissing him again and again did make a marvellous complaint and said unto him O Sir the hour is now come that all dissimulation must cease and that I must confesse the truth which I have so much indeavoured to conceal from you It is that if you for your part have born any love to me you may believe that my love hath been altogether as great as yours but my affliction hath surpassed yours because I have taken such pains to conceal it against my own heart For Sir you are to understand that God and my Honour did not permit me to declare it to you fearing that I should add that unto you which I had a desire to diminish But know Sir that the word of Denyal which I have so often spoke unto you hath done me so much prejudice to pronounce it that it is the occasion of my death with which I am well contented since God hath made me so happy that neither the violence nor the excesse of my love hath blemished at all my conscience or reputation For with a far lesse Fire than is mine there hath been far greater and more noble structures ruined But now I shall depart contented that before I die I shall declare my affection to you to be equal unto yours nothing excepted but that the honour of men and women are not alike I shall desire you Sir for the time to come that you will enforce your self to make no addresses but to the most noble and most virtuous Ladies for in their hearts do dwell the strongest passions and are alwayes most wisely managed and the Grace Beauty and Civility which is in you will not permit that you shall be fruitlesse And I beseech you so to remember me and to think of my constancy as that you will not impute that unto cruelty which is to be attributed to Honour Conscience and Virtue which ought a thousand times to be more dear unto us than life it self Now Sir I shall bid you farewell and commend you to the good man whom you vouchsafe to call Father and who is my Husband to whom I must beseech you to declare the truth what you know of me that he might throughly understand how much I have loved God and himself and I must beseech you to forbear to come any more before my eyes for the few hours I have to live I will altogether imploy them in the meditation of the promises which God hath made unto me before the Creation of the World and speaking these words she gave him the last kisse and imbraced him with all the force of her feeble arms Signior D' Avanes who had his heart within him as surprized with compassion as was hers with the Agony of Death being not able to speak one word unto her did withdraw himself from before her and threw himself upon a Bed which was in the next Chamber where oftentimes he swouned away Not long after the Lady called for her Husband and having made many honest remonstrances unto him she did recommend unto him the care of Signior D' Avanes assuring him that next unto himself he was the person whom she best loved in the World And kissing her Husband she did bid him adiew Immediatly afterwards she commanded that the Sacrament of the Altar should be brought unto her and after that the Unction which she received with great joy as being assured of her Salvation And finding that her eyes began to grow dim and all her strength to fail her she did speak aloud her In manus At that Cry Signior D' Avanes did rise from the bed and looking compassionatly on her he came in a sweet sigh to render his Soul unto her as she was rendring her Soul unto God to whom she was going and when he perceived that she was dead he did run to the dead body to which being alive he durst not approach but in fear and imbraced it and kissed it in such a manner that with much difficulty they did take her from between his Arms her Husband was much astonied at it for he never perceived that he did bear such an affection to her and saying to him Sir It is too much they both retired from her And having made a long lamentation the one for the Death of his Wife the other for the Death of his Friend Monsieur D' Avanes did give him an account at large of the whole course of his Love and that to her Death she never made any signe unto him but what did expresse Severity and an obstinate Chastnesse whereat her Husband being more contented than ever did double his grief for the losse of her and continued all his life afterwards in doing good services to Signior D' Avanes who was then not above eighteen years of Age. After this he departed to the Court where he continued divers years without seeing or speaking to any Woman in the world and he did wear mourning apparel two years together for her Ladies you may here observe the difference betwixt a wise woman and a foolish who do shew distinctly by themselves the different effects of love by which one of them received a death commendable and glorious and the other did lead a life loose and infamous For as the Death of a holy Man or Woman is pretious before God so the Death of a Sinner is as displeasing Truly Saffredant said Oysilla you have rehearsed to us as pleasant a History as I have ever heard and he who knew the persons as well as my self would find it yet more pleasant for I have never seen a braver Gentleman nor of a greater Gracefulness than the said Signior D' Avanes Do you think said Saffredant that a wise and a young Woman to dissemble her love which the counsel of Nature doth admit that she should bear to so desireable a Gentleman should ever suffer her self to dy for denying her self that pleasure of which so violently she desired the content covertly and he openly If she had such a desire said Parlament she had place and occasion enough to declare it to him but her Virtue was so great that she would
entertain those whose Consciences hearts and understandings are ignorant of God and true love and Honour Although your account be but short said Oysilla yet it is as pleasant as may be and conduceth much to the honour of the good Woman In sober sadness said Simontault it is no great honour to an honest woman to refuse so deformed a Creature as you have expressed this Secretary to be but if he had been lovely and debonair then had she shewed her Virtue And because I peradventure do conceive who this Secretary was if it were now my turn I could rehearse another account unto you as pleasant altogether as this you shall not he wanting for that said Emarsuite for I give you my voice whereupon he did immediatly begin Those who are accustomed to have their residence at the Court or in some great Cities doe esteem so highly of their own knowledge that they think all others are but fools and clowns in the comparison of them but it is not so for in all Countreys and amongst all conditions of men there have been found some as witty always and as subtle as the others possible can be neverthelesse by reason of the Pride of those who think themselves most cunning the mockery of them when they are over-matched is always more remarkable as I shall shew you by this true Account which happened not many years agoe A certain Secretary was resolved to be too hard for a Merchant who was too hard for him and what befell him thereupon The eighth Novel FRancis the first of that name being in the City of Paris and his Sister the Queen of Navar in his company she had a Secretary who was none of those who would let any thing fall down on the ground and refuse to take it up again insomuch there was neither President nor Counsellor which he did not know nor Merchant or rich man whose house he did not frequent and hold intelligence with them There came into the said City of Paris a Merchant of Bayons named Bernard du Ha who as well for the discharge of his affaires as for that the Lieutenant Civil was of his Country did addresse himself unto him for his Counsel and Assistance This Secretary of the Queen of Navar did oftentimes repair to visit the Lieutenant who was a good Servant of his Master and of his Mistresse and going to him upon a Holy-day he found neither him nor his Wife at home but heard Bernard du Ha within as busie as might be with a Viol or some other Instrument teaching the Maid-Servants to dance the Morice of Gascogny When the Secretary beheld him he would have made him believe that he did very ill and assured him that if the Lieutenant or his Wife should know of it they would be highly displeased with him And having sufficiently laid forth the inconvenience of what he had done and the danger that might ensue thereon Bernard du Ha did beseech the Secretary not to speak unto the Lieutenant of it who said unto him what will you give me and I will hold my peace Bernard du Ha who entertained not so great a fear as he made a shew for observing that the Secretary would cajole him to a forfeit did promise him to give him a Pasty of the best Hanch of Gascony Venison that he did ever ear The Secretary being well contented with it did desire him that he might have his Pasty on Sunday after Dinner which Bernard du Ha did promise and assured him that he should not fail of it Whereupon the Secretary repaired to a Gentlewoman in Paris whom above all Creatures he desired to espouse and said unto her Madam If you please I will come on Sunday next to sup with you but you are to take care for nothing but only good bread and good Wine for I have over-reached so hansomly a Merchant of Bayons that all the rest shall be at his expence and by my fine circumvention of him you shall eat of the bravest Hanch of Venison that ever was brought from Gascogny to Paris The Gentlewoman who did believe him did send for three or four of the most considerable of her Neighbours and did assure them of something which was very dainty and which they never tasted of before When Sunday was come the Secretary was fain to look after the Merchant and finding him upon the bridge he graciously saluting him said unto him The Devills take you all of them what a trouble have you put me to to find you out Bernard du Ha replyed unto him many men have taken more pains than you who have not been recompensed with such a present And speaking those words unto him he shewed him the Pasty which he had underneath his cloak and was big enough to feed a whole Camp at which the Secretary was so overjoyed that having made up his wide mouth he hastily took it and leaving the Merchant in the street without inviting him to cat of his own Venison he brought his Present to the young Gentlewoman who had a great desire to know If the Viands of Guyen were as good as the Dainties of Paris The hour of Supper being come as they were earing their pottage the Secretary said unto them Let us leave off this watry Diet and tast of this Flagon of Wine and speaking those words he uncovered the Pasty and thinking to cut up the Hanch he did find it so extremely hard that he could not put his knife into it wherefore he used the utmost of his strength and found that it was a broad piece or Sabot of wood of which their shooes are made in Gascoigny to which on each side he had placed two great brands taken out of the Chimney and strowed on the tops thereof the Dusts of rusty Iron mingled with foot which could not but render a gratefull smell Who was perplexed now It was the Secretary as much that he was deceived by him whom he thought to deceive himself as also that he had deceived her to whom he thought that he had spoken the Truth And on the other side he was no wise pleased to content himself only with pottage for his Supper The women who were altogether as sorry as himself had accused him for his Imposture but that they perceived by his Countenance that he did partake with them in the abuse Having thus contrary to his expectation made but a light Supper he departed in a great choler And seeing that Bernard du Ha had failed in his promise he resolved with himself to break his own and addressing himself to the Lieutenant he did speak the worst words that possibly he could of Bernard But he could not come so soon but Bernard du Ha had been with him before and revealed unto him all the mystery The Lieutenant therefore did passe his sentence on the Secretary and said that at his own expence he had now learned to circumvent a Gascoign and must therefore return with
her Husband did give him many wounds with the poynado so that the Frier desired pardon and confessed the Truth of all his wickednesse The Gentleman although he might would not kill him but intreated his Wife to go home to his House and bring some of his servants to him and to bring a little Wagon with them to convey himself to his House with more ease which she did The Frier being despoyled of his habit which he had polluted with so much blood and lust did run in his shirt and his shorn head towards his own Covent But the servants of the Gentleman did overtake him as they were going to their Master to assist him to bring away the Wolf which he had taken and did dragg him to his house who did cause him to be brought before the Justice of the Emperor in Flanders before which Court he confessed his villany and it being found by his Confession and proof made by the Commissaries there present that a great number of Gentlewomen and beautifull Maids had been brought into that Monastery by the same Art as this Frier would have brought this Gentlewoman It was ordered That the said Monastery should be examined and despoyled of those beautiful Larcenies and that in the perpetual memory of this Crime the Monks should be all shut up and be burned with the Monastery By this it may appear that there is nothing more cruel than Love when it is grounded upon Vice as there is nothing again more commen dable than Love when it doth dwell in a virtuous heart Ladies I am very sorry that the truth of these Accounts doth not lead us as much to the commendations of Friers as it doth unto their prejudice for it would be a great pleasure to me in the respect of the love which I do bear unto their Order to know any one of them who would give me a just cause to praise them But we have sworn so much to speak the truth that after the report of Men so worthy to be believed I am constrained not to conceal it assuring you that when the Friers of these times shall do any act worthy of memory I will endeavour to set it forth far better to their Glory than I have given you the account of this Truth unto their Infamy In good carnest Guebron said Oysilla Behold here a Love which ought to be called Cruelty I doe wonder said Simonâ—ault how this Frier had the patience seeing this Gentlewoman in her smock and in a place where he himself was Master that he did not take her by force He had not so sudden a stomack said Saffredant but was a true Gormandizer for through the desire which he had to be-glut him self with her all day long he would not make any stay â—ow to take a tast of her It is not so said Parlament for you are to understand that every Man who is furious is also timorous and the fear which surprized him that his prey should be taken from him did cause him to take away that Lamb as a Wolf doth a sheep to seed upon it with more appetite at his own leisure I cannot believe said Dagouâ—in that he did bear any love unto her or that Love could ever inhabit in a heart so barbarous However it was said Oysilla I do beseech God that as he was punished so the like enterprizes may alwayes meet with the like chastisement But to whom will you give your voice To you Lady said Guebron for you will be sure to give us some good Account Since it comes to my turn said Oysilla I will give you a memorable account which happened in our times and of which she her self was an ey-witnesse who did acquaint me with it I am sure that you are not ignorant that Death is the end of all our Miseries and therfore putting an end unto our miseries it may be called our Felicity and sure Repose for the greatest misery that a man can have is to desire Death and to be deprived of it and of the means to enjoy it The greatest punishment which can be given to a Malefactor is not Death but to afflict him with a perpetual torment so great it makes him to desire it and so little that he cannot obtain it just as a Husband did deal by his Wife as you shall hear by this following story The punishment more rigorous than Death which a Husband inflicted on his Wife having taken her in Adultery The second Novell KIng Charls the Eighth of that Name did send into Germany a Gentleman called Bernage Lord of Cyure neer unto Ambois whose diligence was so remarkable in his Masters service that he travelled both day and night One evening he arrived very late at the Castle of a Gentleman where he demanded lodging which with great difficulty was at last granted Neverthelesse when the Gentleman understood that he was the Servant of so great a King he did go forth to meet him and did beseech him not to be discontented at the rudenesse of his people for by reason of some kinred of his Wives who intended ill unto him he was enforced to keep his Gate shut Immediately Bernage acquainted him with the occasion of his Legation in which the Gentleman did offer him all service that possibly he could in the behalf of the King his Master and brought him into his House where he did lodge him and gave him honourable entertainment The hour of Supper being come the Gentleman did lead him into a Parlor hung round with very rich tapestry where as soon as the meat was upon the Table he did behold a Lady of a most excellent beauty to come forth from behind the Arras her head was shaven all over and the rest of her body cloathed with Blacks of Almaign After the Gentleman had washed with Monsieur Bernage water was brought to the said Lady who having washed her hands did sit down at the end of the Table and spake not to any one nor any one to her Signior Bernage did often look upon her and she seemed to him to be the most beautiful Lady that ever he beheld but only that she looked pale and withall was very sad After she had eaten a little she demanded Drink which a Servant did bring her in a wonderful vessel for it was the scull of a dead Man the edge whereof was round about tipped with silver The Lady did drink twice or thrice in it and after she had supped and washed her hands she made a low Reverence â—o the Master of the House and returned again from whence she came without speaking any word Bernage was so amazed to see a thing so strange that he became very sad and pensive The Gentleman perceived it and said unto him I observe very well that you are astonished at what you have seen at this Table but because of the civility which I have found in you I will not conceal from you the occasion of it that if in me there be
any cruelty at all you may perceive I have a just cause for it That Lady which you beheld is my Wife whom I loved better than it is possible for any other to love his Wife insomuch that to marry her I did forget all fear and brought her hither in spight of all her Kinred She also did expresse unto me such signes of love that I would have hazarded ten thousand lives to have her always with me to her own content and mine Having married her we lived a long time in such a mutual assurance of one anothers love that I conceived my self to be the most happy Gentleman in Christendom But in a Voyage which I made to which my Honour did engage me she so much forgat her own Honour and her Conscience and the Love which she had in to me that she became amorous of a young Gentleman whom I brought up in this House which aâ— my retuâ—n I thought not to have found So it is that the love which I did bear unto her was so great that I could not harbour the least mistrust of her untill Experience opened my eyes and I beheld that which I feared more than Death wherefore my Love was converted into fury and despair and I did watch her so narrowly that one day pretending to go abroad I did hide my self in that Chamber where now she resideth into which not long after my departure she retired and caused the young Gentleman to come to her whom I saw to deport himself with that familiarity that it did belong to none but to my self only when I beheld him to lye down upon the Bed by her I came forth and taking him in her arms I did kill him And because the guilt of my Wife did appear to be so great that such a Death was not enough wherewith to punish her I contrived a punishment for her which I believe was more unpleasing to her than Death it self I locked her up in that chamber to which she was accustomed to retire to receive her greatest delights and in his company whom she loved better than mine into which place I sent her inclosed in an armory all the bones of her friend hanging as some precious Jewels in a Cabinet and to conclude when she eateth and drinketh at the Table before me that she might not forget the memory of him I cause her to be served instead of a cup with the scull of that fond Young-man to the end that she may both see him alive whom by her fault she hath made her Mortal Enemy and see him dead for the love of her whose friendship she preferred above my own And thus constantly at Dinner and Supper she beholds two objects which ought most to displease her her Enemy living and her Friend dead and all by her own default For the rest I do use her as I do use my self only she doth go without any hair at all for the ornament of hair doth not belong to an Adulteresse nor a veil to one that is unchast wherefore she doth go without a veil and without hair to show that she hath lost her honour and her chastity If you please to take the pains to see her once more I will conduct you to her to which Bernage seemed very willing and descended with him into a low place where he found her in a very fair Chamber fitting alone before the fire The Gentleman opened a curtain which was before a great Armory where he did see hanging all the bones of a dead man Bernage being touched with compassion had a great desire to speak unto her but durst not for fear of her Husband The Gentleman perceived it and said unto him If you please to speak any thing unto her you shall observe what words and language she hath Whereupon Bernage immediately said unto her Madam if your patience be equal to your torment I doe esteem you to be the happiest Lady in the World The Lady having tears in her eyes did answer him with a most gracefull hudblenes I doe confesse my fault to be so great that all the Evils which the Signior of this place whom I am not worthy to name Husband can bring upon me are nothing in comparison of my deserts and the grief I have so much to have offended him And speaking those words she did weep abundantly which the Gentleman observing took Bernage by the hand and did lead him forth The morning being come Beruage departed to put his charge in execution which the King had given him and taking his farewell of the Gentleman he could not forbear to say unto him Monsieur the love which I do bear unto you and the honour and the privacy which you have shewed to me in your house do constram me to declare unto you that it seems to me seeing the great repentance of your poor Wife that you ought to look upon her and to use her with compassion and since you are but young and have no children it will be a great losse that so noble a House should fall for want of Heirs that those who love you not peradventure will succeed you The Gentleman who determined with himself never more to speak unto his Wife did consider with himself of this discourse and Counsel of Bernage and acknowledged that he had given him good advice and did promise him that if she persevered in this humility he would look with some pity on her In this manner Bernage departed to the performance of his Commission and when he was returned to the King his Master he gave him all along the Account of what he had done in his behalf which the King found to be as he expressed and amongst other things Bernage having spoken of the beauty of that Lady the King sent his own Painter named John de Paris to limn that Lady to the life and bring her picture to him which having the consent of her Husband in it he performed And some weeks afterwards the Husband after the long penance of his Wife as well in the desire to have Children by her as in the compassion of her did take her again into his bed and had by her many lovely children Ladies if all those who have committed the like fault should drink in the like vessels I am shrewdly afraid that many gilded cups should be converted into Dead mens Skulls Now God take us into his keeping for if his Grace doth not restrain us there is not one here amongst us but is prone to doe as much but having our confidence in him he will preserve those who confesse they are not able to preserve themselves and those Ladies who doe most of all confide in their own strength and virtue are in greatest danger to be tempted to acknowledg their own infirmity and be you assured that there are very many whom Pride hath made to fall in such a case whiles humility hath saved others who were esteemed lesse virtuous The old Proverb doth therefore truly affirm
thought themselves more wise than other men and by the light of Reason attained to some knowledge of the Creator yet attributing this glory to themselves and not to him from whence it was derived thinking that by their own labour they had gained this knowledge have becom not only more ignorant and unreasonable than other men but more se sual than beasts For erring in their minds they have attributed that unto themselves which belongeth unto God alone and have manifested their errors by the abuse of their bodies perverting the order of their Sin as St. Paul doth write unto the Romans There is none of us said Parlament but by that Epistle may confesse that all actual and outward sins are the fruits of the inward infidelity which the more covered it is with gifts and miracles it is so much the more dangerous to pluck away Of both Sexes said Hircan we men are more near unto Salvation than you Women for not dissembling our fruits you may easily know the root but you who dare not put forth your fruits to the open view and doe make so many gallant appearances cannot without much difficulty discover the root of your arrogance and presumption which doth grow up under your fair coverture I must confesse said Longaren if the word of God had not by the application of our faith shewed us the infidelity hidden in our hearts we should be all prone to fall into some visible offence And thrice happy are they whom Faith hath so humbled that they have no need to prove theiâ— natural corruptions by exterior effects But let us see said Simontault from whence we have digressed for in discoursing first of great follies we fell into Philosophy and from thence into Divinity Let us leave these Disputations to those who can better argue them and let us know to whom Nomerfide will give her place and voice I do give it said she to Hircan but I shall intreat him to be favourable to the honour of Ladies You could never intreat me said Hircan in a better time for the History which I have prepared is framed on purpose in obedience to your desires By this you shall confesse that the Nature of Men and women is of it self inclined to all Vice if it be not preserved by the bounty of him to whom the honour of all Victory is to be imputed And to abate the confidence you have when you do speak of your own Honours I will shew you an undoubted President The Endeavour and Success of a wise Husband to divert the Love which his Wife did bear unto a Preacher The fifth Novell IN the City of Pampelona there lived a Lady who was esteemed to be as virtuous as she was fair and to be the most chast and the most devout Woman in all that Country She intirely loved her Husband and was so obedient to him that he reposed all his confidence in her This Lady did incessantly follow the Divine Service and the Sermons She perswaded her Husband and her Children to hold that resolution as well as her self who was then about 30 years of age at which time women are accustomed to leave off the Name of fair to be reputed Grave On Ash-Wednesday which is the first day of Lent this Lady did repair to the Church to hear something for the tribulation of the Flesh where she heard a Sermon preached by a Frier who was esteemed by all the world to be an honest Man by reason of his great austerity and abstinence of life which did render him both pale and lean but not so altogether but for all that he was handsom enough and a good Companion This Lady in great Devotion did hearken to the Sermon having her eyes fastned in contemplation of this venerable person and her ear and all the faculties of her undestanding were taken up altogether in attention to him wherefore the sweetnesse of his words did enter into her ears and dived down into her heart and the beauty and grace of his countenance did so surprize her eyes and so depserately did invade her Spirit that she was like a transported Creature The Sermon being ended she diligently attended where he was to say Masse at which she assisted and took the ashes from his hand which was as slender as her own and white as the ashes themselves The devout Lady did more regard his hand than the ashes he did give her did most assuredly believe that such a spiritual love whatsoever pleasure she apprehended in it could never hurt her conscience she never failed a day to repair unto the Sermon did take her Husband along with her both the one the other did give so great a Commendation to the Preacher that both at bed and at board they had almost no other Discourse but of him only And thus the fire under the title of spiritual did become so carnal that being lodged and burning in her heart it did set all the body of this poor Lady into a flame And as she was but slow to perceive it so she was prone to be inflamed and first found the contentment she received in that passion before she knew that she was subjected to it And thus being in every part surprized by her grand Enemy Love she no longer resisted any one of his Commandements but the greatest trouble was that her Physician who was to cure her was ignorant of her disease wherfore having put away all fear which she ought to have enterrained to shew her folly before so wise a Man and her imperfections before so absolute and so virtuous a Preacher she undertook by writing to discover the love which she did bear unto him which at the first she did as gently as she could and delivered the Letter to a little page with Instructions how to behave himself in this service and above all she did give him a special commandement that he should be most carefull that her Husband did not see him as he did passe unto the Friers The Page going on directly in his way did passe through a street where his Master by chance was sitting in a shop The Gentleman seeing him did step forth out of the shop to see which way he did go and the Page perceiving him being amazed at it did hide himself in a house His Master being startled thereat did follow him and taking hold of him by his arm he demanded of him whither he was going and perceiving that the Excuses he did make were to no purpose and that he had an affrighted countenance he threatned to beat him foundly if he did not tell him whither he was going The poor Page said unto him Wo is me Sir If I shall tell you my Mistresse will kill me The Gentleman suspecting that his Wife had made a Market without his knowledge of it did assure the Page that he should receive no harm if he would confesse the truth but be well rewarded and withâ—â—â— that if he told him a ly
he would keep him in prison during his life The poor Page to receive good and to escape punishment did shew him the Letters which his Mistcesse had wrote unto the Preacher whereat her Husband was as much astonished and grieved as he was before assured of her loyalty having never before received the least discontent from her But he who was wise did dissemble his choler and to know the farther intentions of his Wife did return an answer by writing to her Letter as if the Preacher had thanked her for her good will and declared to her that he for his own part did bear as much true affection unto her The Page having sworn unto his Master to carry on this businesse with all silence and discretion did return unto his Mistresse to whom he delived that counterfeit Letter whereat she was surprized with so much joy that her Husband did easily perceive it by the change of her countenance for instead of contrition and making her self lean with abstinence she did look more fresh more fair and more lovely than before that Lent did begin It was now middle-lent yet this Lady neither for the holiness of the season nor the approach of the Passion did alter her accustomed manner but continued by Letters to declare unto the Preacher her furious fantasie and it seemed to her poor Lady that when he turned his eyes on that side where she sat it was only to look on her and as often as he did speak of the love of God she did apply it to herself and thought in her interpretation of it that it was spoken altogether for the love of her and as much as her eyes could shew what she thought she spared not to return in glances to him her Husband in his Letter failed not to send her like answers After Easter was passed he did write unto her in the name of the Preacher and did intreat her to instruct him what means he should use to come unto her She who thought every hour a year until she had returned an answer to that Letter did counsell her Husband to take a journey into the Country to survay some lands which he had there which he promised her to doe and concealed himself in the house of one of his friends The Lady failed not to write unto the Preacher on what hour he might have his opportunity to come and see her for her Husband was gone forth The Gentleman desiring to make trial of the love of his Wife even to the last did repair unto the Preacher and for the honour of God desired him that he would be pleased to lend him his habit The Preacher who was a very righteous man did assure him that it was against the Rules of their order and that he would not for any thing lend it to have it brought upon the Stage The Gentleman did protest unto him that he would only use it for his own pleasure and in a businesse that was necessary for the good both of Soul and Body The Frier knowing him to be an honest man and fearing God did lend it to him and with this habit which covered the greatest part of his face insomuch that she could not see his eyes he took a false beard and a false nose and near in resemblance to the Preachers and he did put a Rise into his shooes that he might be just of his height Thus habited he did come in the Evening into the Chamber of his Wife who did attend him with great devotion and poor Gentlewoman could not forbeat till he came to her but as a Woman out of her senses she did run to meet him and embraced him He who held his head down into his bosome for fear of being discovered did begin to make the sign of the crosse and to fly from her and to cry out aloud Temptation Temptation The Lady said unto him alas my dear Father you have reason for it for there is no more violent temptation than that which doth proceed from Love to which you have promised to give me a remedy beseeching you that now having time and leisure you will have pity on me and speaking those words she did enforce her self to embrace him but he running from her round about the Chamber and making many and great signs of the Crosse did continually cry out Temptation Temptation but perceiving that she came up close unto him and to examine some where about him too familiarly he took a good cudgel which he did carry under his mantle and did give her so many and such effectuall blowes that he made her to forsake and forget the Temptation and being not discovered by her he repaired immediately to the Preacher and restored him his habit assuring him that he had received an especial favour by it The next morning pretending that he had returned from a long Journey he came into his house where he found his Wife sick in bed and as if he was ignorant of what had passed he enquired of her the cause of her disease She made answer that it was a cold she had taken which was so violent upon her that she could not stir either hand or foot Her Husband who had a good desire to laugh did pretend to be extremely sorry and to administer some comfort to her did acquaint her that on that Evening he had invited the holy man the Preacher unto Supper She immediately made answer far be it from you Sweet-heart to invite any of that Tribe for they do bring ill luck with them into all the houses wheresoever they doe come How my dear Sweet-heart said her Husband have you so much praised this man unto me and doe you make no more reckoning of him As for my own part I doe verily believe that if there be a holy man in the world it is verily he His Wife made answer to him they are good in the Church and in their Pulpits but in our houses they are very Anti-christs I must beseech you Sir if he doth come that I may not see him for it will be enough with the sicknesse that already I have on me to kill me outright Her Husband said unto her because you have no mind unto it you shall not see him and therefore he shall sup with me in the Parlor She made answer to him doe what you please but I pray let not me see him for in my own house I doe hate such people as I hate the Devil Her Husband after he had supped with his Ghostly Father did say unto him My Father I doe esteem you to be so beloved of God that he will deny you no just Petition I do beseech you therefore to have pity on my poor Wife who for these eight days hath been possessed with an evil spirit insomuch that she biteth and scratcheth all the World there is neither crossing nor holy-water of which she maketh any reckoning at all I do believe that if you shall but put your hand upon her that the
Ladies I have no inclination to praise the conscience of the President for this but only to shew the lightnesse of a Woman and the prudence and great patience of a Man and I must â—â—â—eat you not to be offended at the Truth which speaketh sometimes as much against you as it doth against men for Women doe partake of the same Vices and Virtues with them If all those Women said Parlament who loved their Grooms were constrained to eat of such Sallads I doe believe they would not love their Gardens half so well as they doe but would root out all the berbs that they might avoid those which give honour to the Family by the death of the Mother of it Hircan who did well foresee to what end she did speak those words did answer her in choler A virtuous woman ought never to judge another concerning that which she never will doe her self Parlament did reply Knowledge is not judgement upon conjecture and sure it is this poor Gentlewoman did endure the punishment which divers have deserved and I doe believe that her Husband since he would be revenged on her did govern himself with wonderfull wisdom and patience and also with as much malice said Longaren and cruel Vengeance which sufficiently doth witness that he had neither God nor his Conscience before his eys And what would you have had him to have don said Hircan to revenge himself of the greatest injury that a Woman can do unto a Man I would said she that he had killed her in his choler for the Casuists say that such a sin is pardonable for the first motions of Wrath are so violent in themselves that they are not in the power of a Man to give a stop unto them and therefore he is in some capacity of pardon No said Guebron for although his Children and all his posterity had born the infamy of the Mothers fault he ought not to have killed her for after that his first and greatest choler was passed over we find that he lived with her as if she had never given any occasion of offence and as if that all thought thereof was quite blotted out of his Memory Do you believe said Saffredant that he was pacified because he did dissemble his choler For my self I do believe that on the last day wherein he made that salad he was the same Man as he was in the first when he found her in incontinency although there are some the first motions of whose choler have no respite at all until they have put their passion into act And you do me a great pleasure to affirm that the Divines do hold such sins are easie to be pardoned for I am of the same opinion with them We ought to take good heed said Parlament what we do speak before such dangerous persons as you are that which I have said is to be understood when the passion is so strong that it suddenly doth so seize upon the sense that there is no place left for Reason So so said Saffredant I rest my self well satisfied with what you say and will conclude by it That a man violently amorous doth more easily deserve pardon than any other who doth sin being not in love for if Love doth lay him bound in chains Reason cannot easily command him and if We will confess the truth there is not here present any â—â—e of us who at one time or other hath not had experience of his furious folly and which of us doth not now expect to have pardon for it For true love is a degree to mount to the love of God to which none can easily ascend who hath not first climbed up the Ladder of trials and who doth not love his Neighbour and wish him as much happiness as to himself which is a great step unto perfection for St. John saith How can you love God whom you have not seen if you love not your Neighbour whom you have seen There is no place nor passage in the Scripture said Oysilla that is so direct but you can turn it to your own purpose but take heed that you do not like the Spider which converteth all wholesom food into poyson and you ought to be advised how dang roas it is to allege the Holy Scripture without Necessity What do you call it said Saffredant to allege the Scripture without Necessity You will say that in speaking to such incredulous Creatures as your self and appealing to God to be our witness we do take his Name in vain but if it be a Sin you Women your selves ought altogether to endure the punishment for your incredulities do enforce us to seek out all the Protestations and make all the Oaths we can devise and yet for all that we cannot kindle any fire at all in your hearts of Ice It is a sign said Longaren that you are great dissemblers for if there were any truth in your words the truth would be so strong that it would enforce us to believe you but it is to be feared that the Daughters of Eve do too much believe the Serpent that doth tempt them I understand well enough said Saffredant that Women are invincible wherefore I will hold my peace and attend to whom Emarsuite will give her voice I do give it said she to Dagoucin for I believe that he will not speak any thing in the derogation of Ladies I would to God said he that they would carry a correspondence with me and be as favourable to me as I am ready to speak in the praise of them and to manifest unto you that I do make it my business to honour the virtuous in labouring to find out their good works I will give you a History of one of them that shall be remarkable enough Ladies I will not deny but that the patience of the Gentleman of Pampelona and of the President of Grenoble hath been very great but the vengeance they have taken hath been as great as was their patience When we do praise a virtuous Man we ought not to give all the glory to one single Virtue which he makes to serve only as a cloak to cover as great a Vice He is to be commended who for the love of Virtue only doth do a virtuous work as I hope I shall make apparent to you by the patience and the virtue of a young Lady who in her good work sought after nothing but the honour only of God and the salvation of her Husband The Discretion of a Lady to retire her Husband from a fond love which did too much torment him The seventh Novell THere was a Lady of an Illustrious Family in this Kingdom of France whose Name I will conceal so wise she was and virtuous that she was beloved and honoured of all her Neighbors Her Husband as he ought to do did trust her with all his affairs which so wisely she did manage that by her means her House became one of the richest and most accommodated with the best
moveables that was in all the Countrey of Anjou or Tourain Having lived a long time with her Husband by whom she had many goodly Children her happiness after which a contray doth always follow did begin to diminish wherefore her Husband being weary with his case and great contentment did seek out both his travel and his torment and made it his custom as soon as ever his Wife was asleep to rise from her and to return no more unto her until it was near unto the morning His Wife did take this manner of life of his so much to heart that entring into a great jeasousie although she would make no apparence of it she did neglect all her houshold affairs as also her self and her children being one who believed she had lost all the fruit of her labours when she had lost the love of her Husband to continue which love there was no labour which she would not willingly endure But having lost that she was so carelesse of all the rest that she soon perceived the great losse which her Negligence had occasioned For on the one side â—er Husband did carry himself without order and on the other side she looked no more to the affairs of the house insomuch that the whole House was so disordered that all things did run confusedly into Ruine Some of her Kinred who undrstood her Disease did represent unto her the fault she did commit and did advertise her If the love to her Husband could not perswade her to look unto the profit of her House at least the regard of her Children should enforce her The Compassion which she had on them did at the last cause her to pluck up her spirits and by all means to attempt to regain the love of her Husband On the night following she watched when he did rise from her and immediatly after her was gone she rose also and putting on her Night-Gown she caused her Bed to be made and reading her Houres she attended the return of her Husband when her Husband was come into the Chamber she did go directly to him to kisse him and brought him a Bason of water to wash his hands He being amazed at this unaccustomed complement did assure her that he came only from casting up some accounts and for that there was no need that he should wash at all She made answer to him That although it was no great matter of Necessity yet it was Civility to wash his hands when he came from a filthy and polluted place Belike desiring by this to prompt him to understand and to hate his wicked life But he did not reform himself although his Wife for a whole year did continue this Custome When she perceived that it was uneffectual one morning attending the return of her Husband who stayed longer than he was accustomed she had a great desire to seek him out and did goe so long from Chamber to Chamber that she found him at last asleep in the hindermost Wardope with one of the most unsightly and deformed Maids that was in all the house whereupon she resolved to teach him what it was to forsake an honest woman for so soul a slut In this humour she took straw and did set it on fire in the middle of the Chamber and when she perceived that the smoak had almost killed her Husband and enforced him to awake she took him by the arm and cryed out Fier Fier If her Husband were amazed and ashamed to be taken by his fair Wife with so foul and so nasty a Creature he had good reason for it His Wife said unto him Sir I have endeavoured one whole year to withdraw you from this loose life with gentlenesse and patience and to shew you that by washing without you ought to purge what was unclean within But when I perceived that whatsoever I could doe did prevail nothing I attempted to assist my self with that Element which commonly doth put an end to all things assuring you Sir that if this at this present should not correct you I know not if I shall be so patient the second time to pluck you from this danger as I now have done I must beseech you to consider that there is no greater dispair than what proceeds from love and if I had not God before my eyes I had not known that patience which I have used Her Husband being very glad that he was escaped so well did faithfully promise to give her no more occasion to torment her self which the Lady very willingly believed and by the consent of her Husband did immediately turn out of doors that party which did discontent her And after that hour they did live together in great love insomuch that the faults committed and passed in regard of the comfortable life which they now enjoyed was an augmentation of their content Ladies I must intreat you if God should give you such Husbands that you would not despair of them until you have a long time assayed all the means that possibly you can to reduce them for there are four and twenty hours in the day in the which a man might change his opinion and a woman ought to conceive her self more happy to have gained her Husband by her own patience and expectation than if Fortune or her friends had offered her a more ready way Behold here an example said Oyfilla which ought to be of great use to all married women Let her take the example who hath a mind to it said Parlament it is impossible for me to have so much patience for though in all estates patience he a great virtue yet I am of opinion that in marriage it doth lead unto Enmity for in suffering an in jury from an equal we are thereby constrained to separate our selves from him as far as possibly we can and in this separation there proceedeth an undervaluing of the fault of being disloyal and in that undervaluing by little and little love doth diminish for so long we doe love a thing as we do esteem the value of it But it is much to be feared said Emarsuite that an impatient wife may find a surious Husband who instead of patience may give her sorrow And what can a Husband doe said Parlament more than this of whom you have had an account in this last History What said Emarsuite why he may beat her soundly until her bones ratile again in her skin and make her lie in the Truckle bed and her whom he loved in the High bed I doe believe said Parlament that a Woman of worth will not take it so ill to be beaten by her Husband in choler as to be undervalued by him for one who is not to be compared to her and having endured the punishment of the separation of his love the Husband cannot doe any thing which can put his wife to a greater sorrow or can make him to care lesse for him for so saith the Account that the pains she took to recall him was for the
love only which she did hear unto her Children and I doe believe it And doe you find any great patience in this woman said Nomerfide to put fire under the bed where her Husband was afleep Yes said Longaren for when ever she saw the smoak about him she awaked him and peradventure it was in that only that she committed the greatest fault for to such Husbands Fire and Cinders are the best admonitions Longaren you are too cruel said Oysilla you have not so lived with your Husband No said Longaren for God be praised I had no such occasion but instead of complaining of him I shall grieve all the remnant of my life that I have lost him But if you had such a Husband said Nomerfide what would you have done with him I doe believe said Longaren that I should not have loved him so well but that I should have killed him first and afterwards my self for to die after such a vengeance had been a thing more agreeable unto me than to live loyal with one that is disloyal For ought that I can see said Hircan you only love your Husbands for your selves if they are good according to your desire you doe love them but if they commit the least fault in the world they have lost the labour of all their week for one Saturday And this is the reason that you will be Mistresses but for my part I am resolved and if all Husbands would be but of my mind It is reason said Parlament that the man should goveru us as our Head but not that he should forsake us or intreat us â—udely God said Oysilla hath given so good an order â—oth to the man and to the Wife that if it be not abuâ—â—d I doc believe marriage to be the most delightful â—nd the most sure estate that is in this world and I am â—â—nfident that all those who hear me whatsoever they â—â—etend to the contrary doe think my thoughts and peradventure more than my self and by how much the man is said to he more wise than the woman he shall by so much be the more grievously punished if the fault doth proceed from him But having discoursed enough let us see to whom Dagoucin will give his voice I doe give it said he to Longaren You have done me said she a great pleasure therein for I have an account that is worthy to follow yours and because we are now upon the praise of the virtuous patience of Ladies I will shew you one examrle more commendable than any that hath been yet recited and so much the more to be esteemed in that she was only the Wife of an ordinary Citizen who for the most part are not bâ—ed up so virtuously as those of the Gentry or in the Court are The memorable Charity of a Woman of Tours towards her Husband who was a whoremaster The eighth Novel IN the City of Tours ther was the wife of a Burgess a fair and an honest woman who was not only beloved for her Virtues but highly esteemed by her own Husband who following the frailty of men that are weary to feed always on good bread did become amorous of a Dairy maid he had and oftentimes would travel into the Country to see how his Dairy thrived where he would constantly stay two or three days and when he returned to Tours he would be so full of the Morphy that his poor Wife and all the Doctors of that City had enough to doe to recover him and as soon as ever he was on his leggs and well again he failed not to return to his Dairy where for a short pleasure he did forget all his former weaknesses His Wife who above all things did love the life and the health of her Husband observing him ordinarily to return in this weak Estate did repair her self unto the Dairy where she found the young Woman whom her Husband loved to whom with an unclowded and most pleasant Countenance without the least shew of discontent or choler she said That she knew very well her Husband came oftentimes to see her and that nothing troubled her but that she did not use him well for he alwayes returned unto her full of fâ—intnesse and a discoloured Infirmity The young Wench as well for the reverence she did bear unto her Dame as constrained unto it by the force of the Truth did not deny the fact but required pardon of her Her Dame desired to see the Bed and the Chamber in which her Husband being there was accustomed to lodge which she found so cold so dampish and so musty that she had great Compassion on him wherefore immediately she did send for a good Bed and Curtains and Valance correspondent to it as also for pillows sheets and coverlets She also caused the chamber to be hung with Tapestry and sent in fair bowles and good dishes in which her Husband might eat and drink she sent in also a pipe of good Wine and Confects and other Restoratives and desired the Dairy-maid that she would not send back her Husband any more unto her so full of his former Morphy Her Husband being all this while at Tours and not knowing what his Wife had done thought long to return unto his Dairy as he had been accustomed to do whither being come he much wondred to see all things there in so good order and much mote when the Maid did give him Wine to drink in a great Bowl of Silver He demanded of her How she came by those Goods The poor Maid melting into tears told him That his Wife had sent them who taking compassion of her ill usage of him when he was there had sent in all those moveables into the house and desired her at her departure to have a great Care of his health The Husband observing the great Goodnesse of his Wife and that she had returned him so many good offices for all the bad ones which he had performed to her esteeming his Fault as great as was her Virtue did give a sum of money to the Dairy-maid and desired her for the time to come to live in the reputation of an honest Servant and returning to his Wife he confessed his trespasse unto her as also that without that incomparable goodnesse and sweetnesse of her disposition it was impossible for him to forsake the life he lived After this they lived together in great peace and he altogether abandoned his former Incontinence Believe me Ladies that there are few Husbands whom the Patience and the Love of their Wives cannot gain at the last unlesse they have hearts more hard than a stone which the water maketh soft and hollow by the length of time Behold said Parlament a Woman without a heart and without wit what would you have her do said Longaren she hath put that in practise which God hath commanded to do good unto those who do evil I do believe said Hircan that she was in love with some Frier who in penance did command
History but to Parlament only but if they had not I should have given it her before any other because from her we do always learn something that is both gratefull and remarkable Since I must put an end to the discourse of this Afternoon said Parlament and that I promised yesterday to give you the reason wherefore the Father of Rolandine did build that Castle in the Forest where so long a time he did keep her a prisoner I will in this place give you an Account thereof The Excellent Relation of a Lord who caused his Brother-in-law to be put to death not knowing the nearness of the Allyance The tenth Novell THe Lord who was the Father of Rolandine had many Sisters some whereof were married very richly others of them were Religious Votaries and one of them who lived in his own house was beyond comparison more beautifull than the rest Her Brother did love her so intirely that he preferred her above his Wife and Children She was demanded in Marriage by many gallant personages but because he would not have her removed from him or peradventure because he loved his wealth too well he would not seem to understand it which was the Cause that she lived the greatest part of her age unmarried leading a most virtuous life in her Brothers House in which there was bred up with her a gallant young Gentleman who as he increased in age so he increased in beauty and was so esteemed for his virtue that he governed all things in his Masters house insomuch that when he desired his Sister to doe any thing he imployed this Gentleman to deliver his mind unto her This authority was the occasion of a great familiarity which by sending him both early and late unto her was by their dayly frequentation much increased But the young Lady fearing her Honour and the Gentleman his life if he should offend his Master they received no other pleasure by their love but only the content to converse together At the last her Brother told her how much he was obliged to this young Guntleman who was in the same house with her and that he never saw any man whom he desired more to his Brother in law than this Gentleman He so often expressed these words unto her that she having communicated them to this Gentleman they presumed that if they should marry he would give them an easie pardon And Love which willingly believeth that which it desireth did prompt them to conceive that if they should marry nothing but good would come of it In this assurance therefore they did conclude and accomplish their marriage there being no man that knew of it but the Priest only and some few Women And having lived certain years in that pleasure which a married man and woman ought mutually to enjoy as being the most accomplished couple at that time and the truest Lovers that were in Cristendom Fortune envying to behold two persons to live in so great a happinesse would not vouchsafe to grant a continuance to it but stirred up an Enemy to them who observing this Lady did take notice of her great happinesse not knowing of her marriage Whereupon she came unto her Brother and informed him that this Gentleman in whom he reposed so great a trust had recourse too often to his Sister in her Chamber and in such hours when entrance ought not to be admitted This report was not believed the first time so much he trusted to his Sister and this Gentleman but the woman brought in against them so many informations pretending that it was for the honour she did bear unto his house that he so narowly did watch them that these two parties thinking no ill were surprized fast asleep in one anothers Arms. Her Brother having one Evening received advertisement that the Gentleman was gone into his Sisters Chamber he immediatly repaired thither and found them both blinded with love and asleep together The indignation which possessed him at the sight thereof did take away the utterance of his words and drawing his sword he did run after the Gentleman to kill him but he being very nimble of body did fly away in his shirt and being not able to escape out of the door did leap out of the window into the Garden The poor Lady his Sister being in her smock did on both her knees kneel down to her Brother and said unto him Sir Save the life of my Husband for I am espoused to him and if he hath offended punish me only for what he hath done hath been at my request Her Brother being outragious made no answer at all but only said And if he were your Husband a hundred thousand times yet will I punish him as an unfaithfull Servant who hath both deceived and disgraced me And speaking those words he did put his head out of the Window and commanded aloud that they should kill him without mercy which was suddenly put in execution before his own eyes and his Sisters who beholding this lamentable spectacle which no prayers of hers could remedy did talk unto her Brother as a woman out of her senses Brother said she I have neither Father nor Mother alive and I am at that age that I may marry whom I will at my own pleasure I have chosen that Gentleman concerning whom you your self have oftentimes spoke unto me and assured me that it was your desire that I should marry him and for my obedience to your Counsel although for what I have done I could justifie my self by Law without you you have killed that Man whom you your self loved the best in all the world Since it is so that my prayers could not preserve him from Death I do beseech you by all the love that you have born unto me that at this present you will make me the Companion of his Death as I have been in the fortunes of his Life Doing this you shall both satisfie your cruel and most unjust choler and give rest unto her Soul and Body who neither can nor will live without him Her Brother notwithstanding he was so transported that he had even lost all Reason yet he was touched with such a compassion at his Sisters words that without granting or denying her Request he did leave her alone to her self and having considered what he had done and understood in earnest that the Gentleman had married his Sister he wished with all his heart that he had never committed so rash a deed and he was possessed with so strong a fear that his Sister would demand either Justice or Vengeance that he caused a great Castle to be builded in the midst of a Forest into which he did put her and did forbid that any one should speak unto her Some years afterwards to satisfie his Conscience he did assay to gain her and did imploy some persons of trust to commune with her concerning a second Marriage but she sent him word That he had given her already so bad a Dinner
often heard it affirmed said Simontault that Men ought not to be reproved when they purchase the love of Women for God hath planted in the hearts of Men Love and Boldness to demand them and in the hearts of Women Fear and Chastity to refuse them If Man should be punished for using the faculties which are given to him he should suffer wrong But this seemeth strange to me said Longaren that he had so often praised him to his Sister for it would appear great folly or cruelty in any one who keeps a fountain to praise the clearness of the water to one that looks upon it and is languishing for thirst and then to kill him if he offers to take any of it to drink Without all doubt said Parlament the fire was the occasion that did kindle the fire by the temptation of his words which he ought not to have extinguished with the edge of his sword And why should it so heinously be rendred said Saffredant that an ordinary Gentleman using no other force but service should come to marry a Lady of so great a Family seeing the Philosophers do affirm That the least and most inconsiderable man in the world is worth more than the greatest and the most virtuous Woman The reason is said Dagoucin That to establish the Publique peace the Degrees of Families the Ages of persons and the Ordinances of Laws are altogether looked upon without weighing the Love and the Virtues of Men that so there may be no confusion in the State and from hence it doth proceed that the Marriages which are made amongst equals and according to the Judgement and Consent of Friends and Kinred do differ oftentimes so much in heart complexion and condition that instead of entring into a state that leads unto Safety they are brought into the Suburbs of Hell And it is as much to be observed said Guebron that those who marry only for pure love having hearts conditions and complexions alike without any reflection at all on the differences of Houses and Descents are not left without repentance for this great and indiscreet Love doth oftentimes turn it self into Jealouste and Fury In my opinion said Parlament neither the one nor the other is commendable but those only are to be praised who submit themselves to the will of God and look not either upon Glory Avarice or Pleasure but only upon a virtuous love and by a mutual Consent do desire to live in the state of Marriage as God and Nature have ordained And although there is no Estate without some tribulation yet I have seen these to live without Repentance and we are not all so unhappy in this Company but some of us who are married are in this number Thereupon Hircan Saffredant Guebron and Simontault did all swear that they were married in the like resolutions and that they never repented of their Marriages But whatsoever the Truth herein was they whom this Discourse concerned were so much contented that it is impossible they should hear any thing that was more agreeable to them they did all rise from Ground to give praise and thanks unto God and found the Monks ready to begin Vespers The Service being ended they did repair to Supper the whole Subject of their Discourse being concerning their Marriages which continued all that Evening repeating the Fortunes they incountered during the time of their wooing and the Joys of their Bridal Days but because one interrupted the Discourse of the other I cannot give you a particular Account of it which was no lesse pleasant to describe than was their Discourses in the Meadow but sure enough it is that they did take great delight therein and had no other Conference til the hour was come in which they were accustomed to go to bed which did steal upon them sooner than they perceived But Madam Oysilla finding that it was high time to retire her self did give occasion to the whole Company to do the like every one being much joyed in his own particular but especially the marryed who that night did not sleep at all but having spent the first part thereof in the Accounts of their past love they imployed the remainder in the Demonstration of their present And thus pleasantly this Night did pass away until the Morning The End of the Fourth Days Work The Fifth Days Account of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface VVHen the Morning was come Madam Oysilla did prepare for them their spiritual Breakfast which was of so transcendent a rellish that it was able to fortifie both the Body and the Soul and the whole Company was so much pleased that it seemed to them they never heard a Sermon which did profit more And when they heard the Bell to tole unto the Masse they resorted all together to it exercising their contemplations in the way on the holy Instructions which they had received Masse being heard having walked a little after it they did sit down to dinner promising to themselves that the Account of that present day should be as pleasant as were the Discourses of the dayes before Saffredant said unto them he could wish that the bridge might be a whole moneth in building so great was the pleasure he received in this gallant Company But the Abbot within caused all possible diligence to be made because it was not for his advantage to have so many honourable personages in his Abby whose presence detained his accustomed Pilgrims from going so often as before to visit the holy places Having reposed themselves a little after dinner they returned to their pastime in the Meadow and every one of them having taken their seat they demanded of Parlament to whom she would give her voice It appears to me said she that Saffredant should do well to begin this Journal for I doe already perceive by him that he hath not a countenance that would make us weep Ladies said Saffredant you may think what you please but beshrew me you will shew your selves cruel enough if you should not take pity on the poor Frier whose History I shal account unto you and although his Design was prevented by the virtue of a chast Lady such as are amongst us yet you may imagine what doth become of those poor maids whom the desire of the Act hath made without fear to begin the Enterprise To shew therefore unto you that the blindness of concupiscence doth take away all fear and prudent consideration I will in this place give you an account of a Frier in Flanders THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The strange and wild penitence imposed by a Frier Confessor on a young Lady The first Novell IN that year when Madam Margaret of Austria did come unto Cambray on the behalf of her Nephew the Emperor to treat of a Peace betwixt him and the most Christian King there was the Countesse of Aiguemont in the Company of Madam Margaret of Austria which Countesse of Aiguemont did carry the Fame to be the
most beautifull and bravest personage amongst all the Ladies of Flanders On the departure of this great Assembly this Countesse of Aiguemont did return to her own House and the time of Advent being come she sent to the Covent of Friers to demand a good Preacher and a Man of a godly Conversation as well to preach as to confesse her self and all her Company The Warden of the Friers did make choice of the most worthy in his Covent to perform this office in regard of the great benefits he had received from the House of Aiguemont and that of Pienne of which this Lady was and being more desirous than all others to gain the good Esteem and the Love of great Houses he did send the most remarkable Preacher which he had in the whole Covent who the Advent did his duty very well and gave the Countesse great Content The time being come in which the Countesse would receive her Creator she did send for her Confessor and was confessed in her Chapel the door being locked that the Confession might be the more private which being ended she resign'd her place to her Dame of Honor who being confessed did send her Daughter to passe under the handâ— of this goodly Confessor who after she had confessed to him all that she knew he found something as well by her Complexion as Confession which gave him the desire the boldnesse to impose upon her a penance which was not usual He therefore said unto her My Daughter your Sins are so great that to give satisfaction for them I impose this penance on you to wear my Cord on your naked Body The young Gentlewoman who would not be disobedient to him did reply Give it me my Ghostly Father and I will not fail to wear it Nâ— my good Child said the Frier you must not put it on with your own Hands It is necessary that my hands must first of all tye it about you and after wards absolve you 〈◊〉 all your sins The young Gentlewoman beginning to weep did tell him Tâ—â—â— she did not know what to think of that penance Say you so said the Pâ—eacher Are you a Heretick that you refuse the penance which God and our holy Mother the Church doth ordain I do use Confession said the young Gentlewoman as the Church doth command me and would willingly doe penance and receive absolution but I would not that you should put your hands upon my naked body for in that manner I shall refuse your penance Then said the Confessor I can never give you absolution On these words the Damosel did rise from her knees having her Conscience much troubled for she was so young that she was afraid she had sinned in refusing to doe what her Confessor had enjoyned her The Countesse of Aiguemont having received Corpus Domini her Dame of Honour desiring to be made partaker of it after her did demand of her Daughter if she were ready her Daughter weeping made answer No for she was not yet confessed and what did you so long then with the Preacher said the Mother her Daughter made answer nothing at all for refusing the penance which he imposed upon me he refused also to give me absolution Her Mother so discretly enquired of her what penance it was that at the last she understood the whole manner of it and causing her to confesse unto another they received the Eucharist both together As soon as the Countesse was returned from the Church her Dame of Honour did complain unto her of the Preacher at which she was possessed with equal sorrow and amazement having before entertained a very good opinion of him The novelty of the penance did turn her anger into laughter but her laughter did put on that authority as to command the Frier to be taken and beaten in her kitchin where by the force of Rods he confessed the Truth and being tyed hand and foot she sent him afterwards to the Warden of the Covent desiring him that for the time to come he would send more honest men to preach unto her the Word of God Ladies Consider with your selves if in so honourable a house as this they were not afraid to declare their follies what do they do in poor places where they ordinarily do make their requâ—sts and where the opportunities are so easily presenâ—ed to them that it is a miracle young women do escape without a scandal And this Ladies doth occasion me to intreat you that you would turn your bad Esteem of them into Compassion and to ponder with your selves that he who can thus blind the heart of Friers will not spaâ—e the hearts of Ladies when he shall make them his subjects We may here see said Oysilla a good wicked Frier to be religious a Prtest and a Preacher and yet to use such villany on so great a Fâ—stâ—val and in the Church under the pretence of Confession which are all Circumstances that do aggravate the Sin And what of all this said Hircan Do you think that Friers are not men and to be excused as well as we especially this Frier who in the Night-time saw himself all alone with so fair a young Gentlewoman Certainly said Parlament if he had thought on the Nativity of Jesus Christ which was at that time represented he could not have had so wicked a desire You do not observe his method said Saffredant for he would begin with the Incarnation before he did come to the Nativity Neverthelesse he was faulty enough seeing upon so high a day and on so fair a Creature he would have committed so foul a sin In my opinion said Oysilla the Countesse did give him such a punishment that his Companions may take Example by it But it is worth your observation said Nomerfide if she did well to bring a Scandal upon him and if it had not been better that she had privatly reproved him than thus openly to have divulged his fault I do believe said Guebron it had been indeed the best Course for we are commanded to reprove our Neighbour in private before we do declare his faults to any or to the Church it self for when a Man is become once shameless he is not without great difficulty brought to amendment and I am of opinion that it is Shame as much as Conscience that retireth many Men from Sin We must therefore said Parlament practise that Counsel of the Gospel to one another but not to those who preach one thing and who do another for we ought not to be afraid to scandalize those who do scandalize others And it seems to me to be a meritorious work to make them to understand themselves to be such as they are that we may take heed of their seducings and teach young Maids to do so too who are not alwayes so well advised But to whom will Hircan give his voice Because you do ask me I will give it to your self said Hircan Since you give it unto me said Parlament I will give
you an Account of one concerning whom I my self may serve for Witnesse and I have often heard it affirmed that how much the more that Virtue in a weak and seeble subject is assaulâ—ed by a strong and powerful Contrary by so much she is the more admirable and doth shew her self more clearly to be such as indeed she is for it is no wonder at all that the strong Man doth defend himself from the strong but that the feeble hath the Victory is the greatest glory in the world To understand aright the persons of whom I am to speak I shall peradventure do some little wrong to the truth as also that I shall cloath their story in so poor a Dresse that none will regard it Howsoever the Accomplishments of the young Maid by whom such worthy things were done do inforce me to declare them The Continence of a young Maid against the obstinate and amorous Sute of one of the greatest Lords of France and the happy Successe which the Damsell did obtain The second Novel IN one of the greatest Towns of Tourain there did dwell a Lord of a great and honourable house who had there his education from his Infancy I will make no mention in this place of the perfections the grace and beauty and the great virtues of this young Prince I shall only exhibite to you that France had not his equal Being at fifteen years of age he took more pleasure to ride and to hunt than to behold the beauties of Ladies One day when he was at Church he fixed his eyes upon a young Maid who in her Infancy had been brought up in the Castle where he lived and after the death of her Mother her Father did remove to another place whereupon she did goe to Poictou with her Brother This Maid whose name was Frances had a Bastard Sister whom her Father loved very well and married her to the chief Butler of this young Prince who did esteem as well of her as of any in his House The Father died and left unto Frances for her portion all the demeans and houses which he had in this great Town Wherefore after her Fathers death she removed from Poictou unto this place where her Estate was and because she was but 16 years of age unmarried she would not live alone in her own house but agreed for her bord with her Sister who was the Butlers Wife The young Prince observing this Maid to be very lovely being of a brown hair but of a clear complexion and having a carriage that did transcend her Estate for she seemed rather a Princesse than the Daughter of a Citizen he a long time with a stedfast eye did look upon her and being never in love before did find in his heart an unaccustomed heat and retiring into his Chamber he did enquire after her whom he saw in the Church and remembred that it was she who in her infancy was accustomed to come unto the Castle to play with his Sister and acquainted his Sister with it His Sister did send for her and made her very welcom desiring her that she would take the pains to come often to her which she did as often as there were any Marriages or publick Meetings where the young Prince would behold her with such a greedy eye that he did begin to love her intirely and because he knew shew was but of mean parentage he hoped easily to obtain that which he desired but having not the means to speak unto her he sent unto her a Gentleman of his Chamber to sollicite her for him But she who was as wife as she was young and feared God did allege unto him that she could not believe that his Master who was so gallant and so accomplished a Prince would so undervalue himself as to look upon a Creature so imperfect as her self especially seeing in the Castle where he had his residence there were so many great and beautiful Ladies she therefore conceived that what he did speak was from himself and not from the commandment of his Master When the young Prince had understood this answer Love which always doth grow more strong where it finds most resistance did make him more hotly to pursue his enterprise Whereupon he did write a Letter to her desiring her that she would believe that whatsoever this Messenger did say unto her did proceed from himself She who very well could both read write did read the Letter all over to which whatsoever entreaty the Gentleman did make she would return no answer at all affirming that it did not belong to a Person of so base a condition as her self to write unto such a Prince as he was but did beseech him not to suppose her so weak as to believe that he had so good an opinion of her as to bear any love unto her and if he thought by reason of her poor estate to have her at hs pleasure he did much deceive himself for she had as honest a heart as the greatest Princesse in Christendom and esteemed no treasure in the World comparable to her Honour and her Conscience She humbly besought him that he would not hinder her to preserve that treasure for should she die she would never alter her resolution The young Prince did not find this answer to be agreeable unto him neverthelesse he continued passionately to love her and failed not every day to be present at the Masse in that Church to which she repaired and all the while that Masse was saying he perpetually addressed the Devotion of his eyes to that fair image which when she perceived she changed her place and repaired to another Church not to avoid the sight of him for she had not been a reasonable creature if she had not taken pleasure to look upon him but she was afraid to be seen by him for since she conceived her self not worthy to be beloved by him in the way of Honour and Marriage she would not that it should be by the way of folly and of pleasure and whenever she saw any place in the Church where she might seat her self the Prince would fit as close by her as possibly he could which made her to goe from Church to Church to hear Masse dayly and to the furthest Churches that possibly she could and when any great marriages were solemnized at the Castle she did forbear to be present at them and although the Sister of the Prince did invite her she would always excuse her self by some indisposition or other The Prince perceiving that he could not have that accesse nor speak unto her as he desired did aid himself by his Butler and promised him many great rewards if he would assist him in this affair The Butler did promise to doe the utmost of his indeavour as well to please his Master as for the profit which he hoped to receive from him and every day he did give an account unto the Prince of what she both said and did and
that above all things to the utmost of her power she did fly all temptations to behold him At the sast the great Desire which he had to expresse his love unto her did prompt him to an Expedient for the accomplishment thereof which was to ride on his great Horse he being most experienced in that Art in a publique place of the City before the house of his Butler where Frances lived and having made his Horse to tread many Rings and to rise aloft into many dangerous Corvetts where Frances might behold him he did premeditately fall from his Horse into a deep Mire and so easily that he received no hurt at all howsoever he complained much and demanded if there were no lodgings thereabouts that he might change his habiliments Every one was ready at his Door to present their service to him but some that stood by did assure him that his own Butlers house was the next and the best of which he made choice above all others He found there a Chamber richly accommodated and stripped himself into his shirt for his cloaths were all corered with Mud When he was in Bed and observed that his Servants were gone from him to provide him with new habiliments he called for his Host and Hostesse and demanded of them where Frances was They had much to do to find her for as soon as she perceived the Prince did enter into the house she did hide her self in the most obscure and unfrequented place thereof Neverthelesse her Sister found her out who did intreat her not to be afraid to hold Discourse with such a Civil and so Virtuous a Prince How my Sister said Frances Do you whom I reverence as my Mother advise me to Discourse with a young Lord whose Desires you can witnesse with me I do know too well Her Sister made her so many Remonstrances and Promises that she would not leave her alone with him that at the last she did go along with her but with a countenance so discoloured so wan and spiritlesse that it would rather beget Pity than Concupiscence When the Prince beheld her near unto his Bed he did take her by her hand which was cold and trembling and said unto her Frances Do you esteem me to be so cruel a man so barbarous and devouring that I ear up Women when I doe look upon them Wherefore have you so great a fear of him who regardeth nothing more than your honour and advantage You know that in all places that it was possible for me to find you I have sought you out only to see you and to speak unto you and to do me the greatest spite in the world you have forsaken all those places where I was accustomed to see you at Masse that I might receive no contentment at all either by seeing you or by speaking to you But all this hath served you to no purpose for I have not ceased to follow you and am come hither by the means which you have seen having endanger'd to break my neck by falling willfully from my Horse to receive the Contentment onely but to speak to you Wherefore I intreat you Frances because I have put my self into Danger with so much inconvenience that it may not be unprofitable to me and that with my great love I may purchase yours When a long time he attended her answer and beheld that she had tears in her eyes which were fixed on the ground drawing her unto him as close as possibly he could he thought to have kissed and embraced her but she said unto him No Sir No That which you search after must not be had for although I am but a Worm of the Earth in comparison of you my honour is so dear unto me that I had rather dye than have it diminished for the greatest pleasure in the world and the fear which I have that those who have seen you come into this House do suspect me to be the cause of it is the occasion of that great trembling which is upon me And because it hath pleased you to do me so great an Honour as to speak unto me you must pardon me if I make an answer to you according as my Honour doth command me I am not so blind my Lord either in my understanding or my eys that I do not perfectly see the great Beauty and the Graces with which God hath indued you and I do believe that Lady shall be the most happy Woman in the world who shall possesse the Body and the Love of so accomplished a Prince But to what purpose is all this seeing it is not for me to enjoy nor any Maid of my low condition insomuch that but onely the desire of it should be in me a perfect folly What may I conceive to be the Reason which doth cause you to addresse your self to me but onely that the Ladies of your Court whom you cannot chuse but love if Beauty and all her Graces are to be loved by you are so virtuous that you dare not demand that of them which the smallnesse of my Estate doth prompt you unto a hope to receive from me And I am confident that when you shall enjoy that which you do desire of such a silly Maid as my self it will serve as a subject only to you to entertain discourse with your Mistresse for two long hours and more in accounting to her your great Victories to the prejudice and overthrow of a weak and credulous Virgin But my Lord I must beseech you to consider with your self that I am not of that Condition I have been brought up in a House where I have learned what it is to love My Father and my Mother were your faithfull Servants wherefore I must beseech you since God hath not made me a Princesse to be espoused to you nor of Estate to be accounted your Mistresse or your Sweet-heart that you would not make me your Prostitute for I do highly esteem of your Virtues and do desire that you may be the most happy of all the Princes in Christendom And if for your Recreation you will have Women of my Estate you may find enough in this City and beyond all comparison far more handsom than my self who will not put you to so much trouble to intreat them Addresse your self therefore unto those the purchase of whose honour may be pleasing to you and let her alone who doth love you better than her self for if it should so fall out that either your life or my own should this day be required of God I should esteem my self most happy to sacrifise my own for the preservation of yours It is not for want of love that I doe fly from your Company but something else is lodged in my Conscience for my Honour is more dear unto me than my life If it please you my Lord I will doe the uttermost of my indeavour to continue in your good opinion and through all my life will pray unto God for your health
conceived with himself that it was the only and last expedient he could use And seeing there was no remedy he did seek her out so diligently that at the last he did find her in a company and place where she could not avoid him and he did chide her much for her harsh and rigorous usage of him and for her leaving of her Brorhers house She made answer to him That she knew no place more dangerous than that and that he was much beholding to his Butler who served him not only with his Body and his Goods but with his Soul also and his Conscience The Prince perceiving there was no remedy resolved with himself to force his passion and to importune her no more neverthelesse all his life afterwards he had her in high esteem A Servant of the said Prince observing the honesty of this Maid did court her in the way of marriage to which she would not consent without the leave and commandment of the Prince to whom she had given up all her affection which the Prince was acquainted with and with his good will the marriage was concluded in which she lived all her life afterwards with great reputation and the young Prince did inrich her with dayly benefits Ladies what shall we say to this have we hearts so low as to make our Servants our Masters Seeing this Virgin could not be overcome neither by love nor importunities I must beseech you that by her Example we may become victorious over our selves for it is the most noble victory that we can obtain I doe lament said Oysilla that such virtuous acts were not in the time of the old Historiographers for they who so much extolled their Lucretia would let their pens sall from their hands and have altered their Subjest to have described all along the Virtues of this Virgin which I do find to be so great that I should bardly have believed them were it not for the solemn Oath which doth oblige us to speak the truth I find not her virtues to be such said Hircan as you declare them for oftentimes we have seen sick men whose Palats are out of tast to refuse good and whotsom Diet and to feed on that which is naught and hurtfull And so it may be that this Maid was in love with some one else which made her to despise Nobility Parlament made answer Her life and her death did sufficiently manifest that she never during the whole course of her life had a better opinion of any man living than of him whom she loved more than her life but not more than her Honour Remove from your fancy that fond humour said Saffredant and understand from whence that word Honour is derived so far as it belongeth unto Women For it may be that those Who speak so much of it doe not know the Intention of the word Know then that in the beginning before Dissimulation was too common amongst Men and Women love was so full of life and strength that Hypocrisie had no place and they were most praised who most truly loâ—ed But when Decript and Avarice had seized upon their hearts they did drive both God and Love out of them and in their place entertained the love of themselves Hypocrisie and Dissembling And Women perceiving that they had not in their hearts the virtue of true Love and that the Name of Hypocrisie was so odious amongst Men they did give it the sirname of Honour so that those who had not in them that true and honourable Love did pretend that their Honour did forbid them to do this or that and have made thereby so cruel a law that even some Women who would love perfectly do Dissemble esteeming Virtue to be Vice But they who are of a good understanding and of a sound Judgement do never fall into such errours for they do know the difference betwixt light and darknesse and that true love consisteth in this to show the chastity of the heart which cannot live but by true love and will not seek for false Honour from the vice of Dissimulation Nevertheless I have heard said Dagoucin that the most private Love is the most commendable Private said Simontault and concealed from the eys of those that judge not aright but which is clear and known enough unto those two at least whom it doth concern I so understand said Dagoucin and I believe that this Virgin did love more violently because she did not declare it unto any Whatsoever she did said Longaren we ought to look upon her Virtue which to overcome her own heart was the greatest of all virtues and the occasions and temptations which she had being consider'd I do sâ—y that she ought to be accounted a most excellent Virgin If you esteem said Saffredant the greatnesse of Virtue by the mortification of our selves the young Lord was more commendable than she whether you look upon the greatnesse of the love which he did bear unto her or his power and the opportunities and the means he might have had yet neverthelesse he would not offend the rule of true love which makes the Prince and the Poorest Creature to be equal and doth use no other means but what Honesty doth permit There are many said Hircan who would not have done so Indeed he was highly to be esteemed said Longaren having overcome the common Imperfection of Men for he who can do evil and doth it not is a happy Man To this purpose said Guebron you cause me to think of one who had a greater fear to offend the eyes of Men than God his Honour or his Love I pray you said Parlament will you be pleasid to rehearse that Account unto us for the performance whereof I do give you my voice There are divers said Guebron who believe that there is no God or if there be a God they do conceive him to be so far from them that he can neither see nor understand the works they do and although he doth see them they do think he is so tame or so unmindfull of them that he will not punish them and that he takes no Care of the things that are done on Earth And of this opinion was a Lady whose Name for the honour I do bear unto her Family I will change and I will call her Camilla She was often heard to say that He or She who had nothing to do but with God only were happy if in the mean time they could preserve the reputation of their Honour entire from the eyes of the world but you shall perceive that neither her Wisdom nor her Hypocrisie could guard her but the mystery of her Lust was revealed as you shall find by this History the truth whereof I will give you all along excepting the Names of the Persons and the places both which shall be changed The Hypocrisie of a Lady of the Court was discovered by the misdemeanours of her Loves which she thought cunningly to have concealed The Third Novel IN a fair
when ever she turned her back unto him he observed plainly the white stroak of Chalk upon her shoulder whereat he was so amazed that he could hardly believe what he did see with his own eyes and having a long time observed her height and the symmetry of her body which in all particulars resembled her whom he had in his arms and marked well the fashion of her countenance which he could not so perfectly discover as he would he knew for certain that it was she for which he was very glad that a young Lady who never before was know to have a servant but did refuse the love of many gallant Gentlemen should be surprized by him alone Love who is never constant to one estate could not endure that he should live long in this safe happinesse but did transport him into such a glory and vain hope that he resolved with himself to make his love known unto her thinking that when she found that it was discovered it would be a means to his advantage to make her to encrease it One day when the great Lady her Mistresse did delight her self in the Garden Camilla did walk by her self in one of the Alleys of the Garden The Gentleman seeing her alone did advance himself to entertain her and counterfeiting that he had never seen her in any other place he did say unto her Lady A long time it is since in my heart I have carryed a great affection to you and for fear to displease you I have not dared to reveal it unto you which hath rendred me so weak that without death I can no longer endure this torment for I am confident that never any one did know or feel so much of love as my self The young Lady Camilla would not permit him to finish his discourse but said unto him in a great choler Did you ever hear in your life that I entertained either friend or Servant I am sure you have not And I doe much wonder from whence this boldnesse should proceed that you should presume to hold this discourse with one of so known and unblemished a reputation as my self for by my Carriage and Demeanour in this Court you might easily understand that I never loved any but my Husband only and for this cause take heed how you continue this discourse The Gentleman observing her great dissimulation could not contain himself from laughter and said unto her Madam you have not been so rigorous unto me as you are at this present To what end doth it serve you to use such dissimulation to me were it not far better to have a love perfect than imperfect Camilla made answer to him I bear no more love unto you either perfect or imperfect than I do unto any other of the Servants of my Mistress But if you continue in the discourse you have begun you shall find that I do bear such a hate unto you that you may have the leisure to repent it The Gentleman for all that did pursue his Discourse and said unto her And where is now the good entertainment you were accustomed to give me when I must not see you why do you deprive me of the happiness that the Day may not shew me your beauties attended with so many Graces Camilla making a great sign of the Cross did say unto him You have either lost your understanding or are one of the greatest lyars in the world For never in my life as I do know of did I either give you better or worse entertainment than at this present and I pray let me understand what you doe mean by it The poor Gentleman thinking to assure her to him did name unto her the place whither she sent for him and the mark which he made with the Chalk upon her shoulder to gain a more perfect knowledge of her whereat she was so transported with Choler that she told him that he was the most wicked man in the world and that he contrived so scandalous a lie against her that she would make him to repent it whilst he â—â—ved The Gentleman who knew in what credit she was with her Mistress did endeavour to appease her but it was impossible For leaving him in the Alley she did repair to her Mistresse in a most violent Rage who loving her as her self and seeing her so transported did forsake all the Company to enquire of her the occasion of her choler which Camilla did not conceal but word for word did acquaint her all along with the Discourse which passed betwixt the Gentleman and her self and so much to the disadvantage of the poor Gentleman that on that very Evening his Mistress did command him immediatly to depart her Court and without speaking any thing to any body to retire himself to his own house and to stay there until she sent for him This Command of his Mistress was disagreeable unto him but he did suddenly perform it for fear of worse and as long as Camilla lived with her Mistress the Gentleman came not any more to the Court nor ever received any News from her concerning that which she had so often promised and which he had lost on that hour when hee had discovered who she was Ladies by this you may perceive how she who above her Conscience preferred the glory of this world did lose both the one and the other for that was discovered to the eys of all men which she would have concealed from her Husband and her Servant and seeking to avoid the mockery of them she fell into the scandal of all And she cannot be excused by the simplicity of a powerfull Love on which every one ought to have Compassion but she is doubly to be condemned to have shaddowed her Deceit under the mantle of Honour and of Glory and to make her self before God and Men to be better than she was But he who giveth not his Glory unto another in drawing open the Curtain did reveal her to her double Infamy We may here see said Oysilla an inexcusable sin for who can speak for her when God her Honour and Love himself do accuse her Who said Hircan Pleasure and Folly who are the two great Advocats for Ladies If we have no other Advocats said Parlament but those two amongst you men our Cause would be very ill maintained But those who suffer themselves to be overcome with pleasure ought not any more to be called Women but Men whose Fury and Concupiscence do augment their honour For a man who doth revenge himself upon his Enemy and doth kill him onely for the Lie is esteemed to be the bravest Gentleman and so is he who is in love with a dozen more besides his Wife But the honour of Women is grounded on another Bottom which is Mildness Patience and Chastity You talk only of some few Women who are wise said Hircan I do said Parlament because I do know no others If there were none of us fools said Nomerfide those who would be believed
in whatsoever they do say or do to supplant our female simplicity would find themselves a great way off from their Hope I pray you Nomerfide said Guebron let me give you my voice that we may hear from you some Account to that purpose I will rehearse unto you one said Nomerfide as much to the commendation of true Lovers as yours have been to the dispraise of foolish Women Of two Lovers who subtilly did enjoy their Loves and of the happy issue thereof The fourth Novell IN the City of Paris there were two Citizens of a considerable Estate the one a Lawyer the other a Mercer who for a long time did bear a great affection to one another by the means whereof the Son of the Lawyer called James a young Man and a fine Companion did oftentimes frequent the Mercers house in pretence of the Love that was shewed to his Father but it was indeed in love to the fair Daughter of the Mercer whose Name was Frances And James did make his addresses so effectual to her that he knew he was no less beloved than he did love But in the time of this Courtship the War began in Provence by reason of the Invasion of Charls of Austria and James was enforced to follow the War to serve according to the Estate in which he was In the beginning of these Wars his Father dyed the News whereof did convey a double affliction to him the one was for the loss of his Father the other was for the inconvenience which that losse brought with it which was that on his return he should be deprived of the opportunity of seeing his Sweet-heart so often as he hoped to have done Neverthelesse in a short process of time the one was forgotten and the other increased for as Death is a thing natural and more natural to the Father than to the Children so grief by little and little of it self doth wear away But Love instead of conveying death unto us doth bring us life by the propagation of Children who doe render us immortal which is one of the most principal motives to increase our desires James being returned to Paris had no other thought or care than to put himself again into the train and the vulgar frequentation of the Mercers house where under the umbrage of his former love he might traffick with his dearest merchandise On the other side during his absence Frances was sollicited and courted by diverse as well for her beauty as for her wit and understanding and also because she was fully marriageable although her Father was not forward to seek out a Husband for her whether it were through covetousnesse or a provident desire to have her richly placed she being his only Daughter And this conduced nothing at all unto her Honour for tongues now a days are proâ—e to slander and detraction when no occasion is administred and especially if it be upon any thing which concerns the Chastity of Maid or Woman This her Father understood who was neither blind nor deaf to the vulgar chat nor would he be like those Fathers who instead of censuring Vice in their Wives or Children do provoke them to it for he did keep her so short that even those who came unto her as Suters only could hardly be admitted to see her although she was always in hâ—r Mothers Company I need not to ask you if this were not very grievous to James to endure being not able in his understanding to resolve himself what was the reason that she was guarded with so much severity and finding no occasion for it he could not tell what certainly to conclude upon but did waver betwixt Love and Jealousie At the last he was resolved with himself come what would of it he would know the reason But first of all to understand if she were of the same affection as she was before he did so often goe and come where she used to resort that one Morning hearing Masse in the Church and being very near unto her he perceived by her countenance that she was no lesse glad to see him than he was to see her and knowing also that her Mother was not so strict over her as her Father he took one day the boldnesse as it were unexpectedly seeing them goe from their House unto the Church to accost them with a familiar and vulgar complement and not too expressely to declare himself that he might better arrive to the end of his Design The end of the year approaching in which his Father died he determined with himself to leave off his mourning and to put himself into such a habit as might become the honour of his Ancestors and acquainted his Mother with it who did like it very well desiring with all her heart to see him well married because she had no more Sons and but one Daughter who was already married and very richly and moreover she did inure her heart to the Love of virtue by the infinite Examples of other young Gentlewomen of her age who either did advance themselves or at least shewed themselves worthy of the Family from whence they were descended There was nothing more to doe but to consider in what shop they might best provide themselves His Mother said unto him James I think it most expedient to goe to my Husbands Compeeire Master Peters who was the Father of Frances for said she he it one of our Friends and will not deceive us That word much pleased her Son and he greedily swallowed it neverthelesse he said unto his Mother we will buy it there where we can find our best Market but because he was an acquaintance of my Fathers I am content to goe thither in the first place The Agreement was made and one morning the Mother and the Son did go to Mr. Peters house who received them with many expressions of respect as you know few Shop-keepers are unprovided in that kind A great variety of whole pieces of Silks were laid open upon the board and they might chuse what they pleased but they could not agree upon the price which James did on purpose because he could not see the Mother of his Sweet-heart and at last they were going without buying any thing at all to try what they could do in another place But James did like nothing so well as what he cheapned at his Sweet-hearts Fathers house whither some hours afterwards they returned They found then her Mother within who did give them the best welcom in the world and after the words of course which are accustomed in such shops the Wife of the Mercer being more hard to deal with than the Mercer himself James said unto her You are grown Lady very hard see what it is to lose a good Father Now we cannot be known here and with that he made an apparence as if he wept and wiped his eys in the remembrance of the dear Father which he lost but this was only to play his own cards the better The
good Woman the Widdow who was James his Mother being present did comply with him and said I in good troth since his Death we are no more visited than if we had never seen one another and this is all the reckoning that is made of poor Widdows Hereupon they did grow into new Indearments and the Mercers Wife did promise to visit her more often than ever And as they were speaking those words there came in other Customers whom the Master did lead into another Shop And the young Man taking his opportunity said unto his Mother I would forsooth that she would be pleased to come to us upon some Festival days to visit the holy places which are about us and especially the Religious if she would vouchsafe sometimes as she passeth by to take a Cup of wine it would be a great pleasure and an honour to us The Mercers Wife who thought no evill made answer to them that a fortnight ago she had determined with her self to walk abroad to see her friends and that if the Sunday following was a fair day she would take her pleasure then and as she passed by she would give a visit to her This being agreed upon the agreement followed for the price of the pieces of silk for James thought it was not requisite for the value of a litttle silver to lose so fair an opportunity The plot being laid and the Merchandise carryed away James perceiving that he alone was not able to carry on the enterprize was constrained to declare himself unto a faithfull Friend and they both did lay their heads so well together that there wanted nothing but the performance On the Sunday following the Mercers Wife and her Daughter on their return from their Devotions did not fail to call at the Widdows house where they found her with a good Woman a Neighbour of hers talking together in the gallery belonging to the Garden there was also the Daughter of the Widdow James his Sister who was walking up and down the Allees of the Garden with her Brother and Oliver James when he beheld his Sweet-heart did so compose his countenance that he did not reveal the least sign of Joy and in that grave garb did address himself both to the Mother and the Daughter And as it is ordinary that the Old do always keep company with the Old the three Women did sit upon a Bank which was so made that they were inforced to turn their backs towards the Garden into which by degrees the two lovers entred and walked untill they came unto the place where Oliver and his Sister were where some Salutations and Complements being passed they did walk again in the Allees of the Garden where the young Man did so well declare his intire affection to Frances that she could not but have compassion on him and did not altogether refuse that which her friend demanded so that he perceived that she was comming on and according to his expectation But you are to understand that during the time they were in this Communication they oftentimes walked up and down by the Bank where the good Women sate to take away suspition from them talking sometimes aloud of vulgar and familiar Subjects and sometimes making an apparence as if they were in a great Contestation And in this manner they passed up and down not far from the good Women for the space of half an hour at which time James made a sign to Oliver who played his part also vellâ—ry we with the other Maid whom he discoursed with insomuch that it could not be perceived when the two Lovers entred into a green plat shadowed with Cherry trees and enclosed with Goosberry Bushes and Roses where they pretended to goe to beat down Almonds in one corner thereof but it was indeed to gather Plumbs Here James instead of giving his Sweet-heart a Green Gown did give her a Red one for her blood did flush into her cheeks to find her self surprised before she was aware They had so readily gathered their plumbs because they were ripe that Oliver could not believe it were it not that he beheld the Maid to hold her head down towards the ground as if she had been ashamed which gave unto him a token of the Truth for before as she walked she did hold up her head without any fear that the vein in her eye which ought to be red should be seen to have taken the Azure colour which James perceiving with Remonstrances necessary to that purpose did endeavour to restore it to its first complexion and walking afterwards three or four turns in the Garden it was 〈◊〉 without tears and sighs Frances saying oftentimes unto him Wo is me Was it for this that you did love me Good God And if I had but thought on it What shall I doe you have undone me for ever In what Fame shall I now live What shall become of me I assure my self that you will make no more reckoning of me especially if you are in the number of those who do only love for pleasure Alas the time that ever I was born or being born that I had not died before I fell into this error These words were not uttered without abundance of tears But James did so comfort her with so many solemn Promises and Oaths that after they had walked three or four turns in the Garden more and he had made a sign to his Companion they ented again into the Grasseplat by another way where James did not behave himself so unmanly but she received far more pleasure at the giving of the second Green Gown than at the first and moreover did like so well of it that they entred into a consultation how they might see one another more often and more to their delight In which a young Woman a Neigbour of the Merchants and one of James his Kinswomen and one who was a very good Friend to Frances did very much assist them In this condition of life for ought that I can understand they continued without scandal until the consummation of their marriage which was a very rich one for the Daughter of a Mercer in regard she was the only child he had True enough it is that James a long time stayed for the death of the Father who was so locked up to himself that it seemed to him what he held fast in one hand the other would steal from it Ladies you may here behold a Love well begun well continued and best of all concluded for although it is a common thing with you Men to disdain a Maid or Woman who hath been too liberal to you of that which you most seek of her so it is that this Gentleman being possessed with a true and sincere Love and having known that in his Sweet-heart which every Husband desireth in her whom he hath espoused and finding her also wise and well descended would not forsake her he himself being the occasion of the fault that was committed neither would he
doing wrong to either sex I may be allowed to speak the truth both of Men and women and to affirm that there is nothing good at all either in the one or the other But this Man said Parlament was marvellously deceitfull for on the one side he cousened his Maid and on the other side his Wife You do not well understand the story I perceive said Hircan for that saith that he did content them both on one morning and not deceive them which I look upon as a great Act of Virtue both of body and of mind as well by deeds as by words to give content unto two divers persons In that said Parlament he is doubly to be blamed in satisfying the simplicity of the one by Dissimulation and and the longings of the other by Lust but I understand well enough that such Sins as these being brought before such a Judge as you will find an easie pardon You may assure your self said Hircan to please two at once is no easie task and for my own part I will never undertake so great and difficult an enterprise I have given you my Account already and think herein I have not ill imployed my days work If a mutual Love said Parlament cannot content the heart I know no other thing in the world that can give content unto it To speak the truth said Simontault I do believe that there is not a greater punishment in the world than to love and not to be beloved again I do believe you said Oysilla and to that purpose I do remember a Story which indeed doth not deserve to be numbred on the file of good ones but because it is for the present purpose I am content to declare it to you Of a Frier whose Custom it was to bring his complaints to several Husbands which was the occasion that they did beat their Wives The sixth Novell IN the City of Angoulesm where Count Charls the Father of King Francis had oftentimes his residence there was a Frier called De Valles a very knowing Man and so great a Preacher that upon all Sundays in the Advents he preached in the City before the Count by means whereof his Reputation was much increased It so fell out that during the Advent a lusty young fellow of the City having married a handsom young Wench did not desist for all that to ramble up and down and to live as dissolutely if not more than those who were unmarried of which the young Woman being advertised could not hold her peace so that following him up and down and exclaiming on him she received such tokens from him as she would not willingly have and neverthelesse for all that she did not forbear to continue her exclamations and oftentimes would speak very high words and most passionately rail against him The young Man being much incited at it did begin to lay about him and to leave on her shoulders the marks of his displeasure whereat she began to cry out far louder than before and her Neighbours also that knew the occasion of it would inveigh against him and making a great noise in the streets would cry out Now fie on all such Husbands Let them go all to the Devil The Frier De Valles passing by that way and understanding the noise and the occasion of it did determine with himself to speak one word of it in his next dayes Sermon which accordingly he did for speaking of marriage and of the love which ought to be betwixt the Husband and the Wife he did highly praise it and blamed those that did go about to violate it and making a comparison betwixt conjugal and paternal Love he said amongst other things That it was a greater danger and a more grievous punishment for a Husband to beat his Wife than to beat his Father or his Mother for said he if you beat your Father or your Mother you are sent to Rome to do penance but if you beat your Wife both she and all her Neighbours will fall a cursing of you and send you immediately to the Devil that is to say to Hell You are to observe now said he what a difference there is betwixt these two penances for from Rome they do ordinarily come back again but from Hell-Oh There is no teturning Nulla est redemptio Not long after that Sermon he was advertised that Women made their boasts of that which he preached and that their Husbands could live in no quiet for them for which in his next Sermon he did resolve to prescribe an Order for the redresse of that inconvenience And in some part of it he compared Women unto Devils and said that they two were the greatest Enemies that Man had for they did always tempt Man without any intermission and he could never get rid of them especially of the Woman for the Devils he said will fly away if they be but shewed the Crosse but Women clean contrary to them will cleave the faster to them being the greatest cross themselves that can be to their Husbands And this doth make them so to run and to go and doth throw them into such an infinity of passions But good people be ruled by me and I will tell you what you shall do When you do find that your Wives do torment you in this manner without cease as I have said they are accustomed to do take off the handle from your crucisix and with that handle drive them as far from you as you can Do as I bid you and vigorously make experience of it three or four times and you shall find the good that will come of it you shall find that in the same manner that you doe chase away the Devil by the virtue of the Crosse you shall also chase away and make your Wives to hold their peace by the Virtue of the handle of the Crosse and they will no more presume to come too near unto you Loe here some part of the Preachments of that venerable de Valles of whose life I will make here no larger a recital but I can tell you whatsoever appearance he made to the contrary for I knew the man very well yet in his heart he took the Womens parts more than the Mens Madem said Parlament he did not shew it in that last Sermon in which he gave instructions unto Men to beat their Wives You do not understand his drift in it said Hircan had you been exercized in the discipline and the Stratagems of War you would have found that one of the greatest policies that is required is to make a Civil sedition in the Camp of the Enemy because it is then most easie to overcomâ— him In the like manner this Monk the Master of his Arts did understand well enough that the Anger and the Hatred betwixt the Husband and the Wife is the Cause oftentimes that makes the Wife to let loose the reigns of her honesty which being governed no more by virtue doth fall into the hands of
Wooâ—â—ss and that almost before she can perceive that she is gone astray Howsoever it is said Parlament I should never love that man who would make so great a separation betwixt my Husband and my self as to make him beat me for blowes make love to sly away Yet neverthelesse as I have heard so cunningly these Impostures do carry themselves when they would have a poor Woman at advantage that I do believe it is more danger to give ear unto them privatly than publickly to receive blowes from their Husband who if it were not for such busie pretenders would be good enough To speak the truth said Dagoucin the trains they have laid are on every side so many that it is not without cause to fear them although in my opinion that Person who is not fearful or suspitious is worthy of praise Neverthelesse said Oysilla we ought to suspect the evil which we would avoid for it is better to suspect the Evil which is not than foolishly by not believing it to fall into the Evil which is For my part I never saw a Woman deceived in being slow to give credence to the words of Men but I have heard of many that have been ruined by giving too ready a belief to their false protestations wherefore I affirm that the Evil which can arrive cannot be too much suspected by those who have the charge both of Men and Women and Cities and Estates for be the watch never so strictly observed and be there never so many eyes imployed yet Forgeries and Treasons will abound The Shepheard that is not vigilant is every way deceived by the subtilty of the Fox and the cruelty of the Wolf And yet so it is said Dagoucin that a person that is suspitious can never entertain any absolute friendship and love hath been oftentimes estranged if not separated by suspition only If you can render us any Example of it said Oysilla I will give you my voice I know one and so true a one said Dagoucin that you will take Delight to hear it Ladies I will tell you what it is that doth most easily break true Love It is when the assurance of Love doth bâ—gin to give place unto suspition for as to believe a friend is the greatest honour can be done unto him so to doubt of him is the greatest dishonour can befall him by that suspition we begin to esteem him otherwise than we would he should be which is the cause that many great friendships are dissolved and Friends made Enemies as you shall find by this Account which I have now in hand to exhibite to you A Gentleman of Percha unjustly suspecting the love of his Friend did provoke him unwillingly to put in practise the Cause of his Suspition The seventh Novell IN the Country of Percha there were two Gentlemen who from the time of their first Infancy did continue in so great and an entire a love that betwixt them there was but one heart one house one bed and one table They along time did live in this perfect Amity enjoying one thought and one will you might see indeed a distinction of persons but they lived together not only as two Brothers but as if that both of them had made but one entire Man The one of them was married yet did not discontinue for all that to maintain his old Love and daily to live with his Companion as he had been accustomed to do And if at any time in their Travels they wanted a second Bed his friend did lie in the same Bed with himself and his Wife It is true enough that at that time he himself did always lie in the middle Their Goods were also in common It was not Marriage that could hinder the establishment of their love Nevertheless in the progress of time the felicity of the world which is subject to mutability could not any longer continue in this House which was indeed too happy and in too permanent a condition for the Husband forgetting the assurance which he had in his Friend without any occasion at all did entertain a great jealousie of his Wife and him He did not dissemble it to his Wife and did acquaint her with the unpleasing tydings whereat she was much astonished for he had commanded her in all things but in one to make as much of his Companion as of himself and now he expresly did forbid her to speak unto him unless she were in some publick Company She took the opportunity to acquaint the Companion of her Husband with it who did not believe it knowing well enough that he never thought nor did any thing whereat his Companion should be afflicted And being accustomed to conceal nothing from him he did acquaint him with what he understood desiring him that he would not conceal the truth from him for he would not either in that or any other thing give him an occasion to break that love with so long they had entertained The Gentleman that was marryed did assure him that he had never any such thought and that they who brought this Information to him were most wicked lyars His Companion told him I know well enough that Jealousie is a passion as insupportable as Love and if you should be surprized with it yet I would do you no Injury at all for I know it is a passion that grows so upon a Man that he cannot help it But of one thing which lies in your power to help I find I have just reason to complain which is that you conceal this passion from me seeing heretofore there was not that thing which you would conceal from me I will say as much of my self If I were amorous of your Wife you ought not to impute it unto me as any great Iniquity for it is a fire which I hold not in my hand to do with it according to my own pleasure but if I should conceal it from you and endeavour to make your Wife acquainted with it I should be one of the wickedest Companions that ever was For my part I do assure you that albeit she is an honest and a virtuous Gentlewoman yet were she not your Wife I do not know any Woman that I have a less Fancy to But although there be no occasion for it I desire you if you but harbour the least scruple of suspition that possibly may be that you would acquaint me with it to the end I may give such Order that our love which hath so long continued may not be dissolved for a Woman for if I loved her above all Creatures in the World yet I would never speak any more unto hrr because I doe prefer your love above all others His Companion did swear unto him by the greatest Oaths that could possibly be imagined that he never had any such thought and desired him to make use of his house as he was accustomed to doe His Friend made answer to him because it is your desire I will doe it but I must
entreat you that if for the time to come you shall entertain any such opinion of me that you will not dissemble it and that you will not think ill of it if I shall never again keep company with you At the end of some Moneths after they had lived together in their accustomed familiarities the married Gentleman did enter again into his former Jealousie more than ever and commanded his Wife to look no more upon him with that Countenance which she had been accustomed to doe which she again imparted to the Companion of her Husband beseeching him of her self that he would be pleased to forbear to speak any more unto her for she had received for her own part an expresse Commandment to that purpose from her Husband The Gentleman understood by these words of hers and by the Countenance which he observed that she did make unto her Husband that he had not kept his promise with him wherefore he said unto him in a great Cholet If you are jealous my Companion it is a thing natural but after so many Oaths which you have made unto me I am forry to find that which you labour so much to conceal from me For I always thought that there had been no Medium nor Obstacle betwixt your heart and mine but to my great grief and without the least occasion I doe find the contrary because you are not only foolishly jealous of your Wife and of my self but you doe indeavour to cover it that the disease may increase so long upon you that it may turn all into hatred and as our love hath been the greatest of any that hath been known in our age so the enmity may prove as mortal I have hated that which you suspect and have done what I could to avoid the inconvenience but because you do suspect me to be so wicked and to be contrary to that which I have always been unto you I doe swear unto you and doe promise you upon my faith that now I will be such as you esteem me to be and I will never cease until I have had that of your Wife which you think I have obtained already and for the time to come look to it for since that Jealousie hath separated you from the love of me Despite shall sever me from the love of men Although his Companion did indeavour to perswade him to the contrary yet he would not take any notice of it but took his part of those goods and movables which before were in common betwixt them and they were as much divided in their affections as they were before united and the Gentleman that was not married was as good as his word for he did never leave to court the suspected Lady until he had cornuted his Companion as he promised him that he would Here Ladies they may learn and grow wise who unjustly doe suspect their Wives for many are the cause that they are such as they suspect themselves to be for a Woman of spirit and understanding is more overcome by Despite than by all the pleasures in the World If any one shall affirm that jealousie is love I shall deny it but it doth proceed from it indeed as the sparks from the fire and is as destructive I do believe said Hircan that there neither is nor can be a greater displeasure to Man or Woman than to be suspected when there is no cause for it and for my self there is nothing that so much doth make me to break off the Company of my Friends than this suspition It is not said Oysilla a reasonable excuse for a Woman to revenge the jealousie of her Husband by bringing a shame and a dishonour upon her self It is to do like that weak man who not being able to kill his Enemy doth wound himself with a sword or that weak woman who because she cannot come to scratch her Enemy doth bite off her own nails for anger But she had done more wisely not to have spoken to him but only to have represented unto her Husband the wrong which he had done her by his unjust jealousie for time might have made them friends again If this said Emarsuite was the Resolution of a Wife and that other Wives should do the like there are many Husbands who would not be so arrogant and outragious as they are Whatsoever it were said Longaren it is patience that doth render a Woman at the last victorious It is chastity that doth render her commendable and it behoveth us to stay there Neverthelesse said Emarsuite a Woman may well be not chast without sin How understand you that said Oysilla When she mistakes another for her Husband replyed Emarsuite or is so sottish said Parlament that she knows not the difference between her Husband and another in whatsoever habiliments he shall disguise himself There have been and are still of those Women said Emarsuite who have been deceived by others and yet themselves have remained innocent and inculpable of Sin If you know any such said Dagoucin I do give you my voice that we may receive from you an account of her for it seemeth strange to me that Innocence and Sin can lodge together Then listen to me said Emarsuite And Ladies if by the foregoing stories you are not sufficiently advertised how dangerous it is to lodge those in your houses who call us worldly things and do esteem themselves to be holy and far more worthy than our selves I will yet adde one Example more to shew unto you that they are but Men as others are and altogether as subtle and sinful as they as it shall appear unto you by this History Of Two Grey-Friers who on the Wedding-Night did one after the other usurp the place of the Bridegroom for which they were severely punished The eighth Novell IN a village in the Country of Perigard there was kept in an Inn the Marriage of the Daughter of the Host where her Parents and all her Friends did inforce themselves to make the best chear that possibly they could On the Wedding-day there arrived two Friers who had their Supper sent them up into their Chamber because it was not lawfull for such mortified Men to be present at Weddings But the Elder of them who had more Authority and Knavery than the other did resolve with himself that although he could not be present at the Table with the Bride yet he would partake with the Bridegroom in his Bed and that he would now play a game in which he would shew his Master-piece When the Night came and the Dancing began the Frier did look a long time out of the Window upon the Bride and observed her to be fair and lovely and according to his own mind and enquiring of the Governour of the Chamberlains where she was to lie he found that the Brides Chamber was next unto his own at which he was very glad and so strictly did watch her that he saw the Bride undressed by the old women who according to
did go forth of it living only upon Restoratives During those eight days in which there he stayed there came another Courtier one of his Companions to make love unto the Countess whose Name was Duraceir At the first she entertained him with the same words as she did young Astillon and was rather more rough in her language but at the last she looked on him every day more smilingly than other And when the Day came that she did give leave to her first prisoner to depart she did put the second into his place and during the time that he was there another of their Companions called Valcebron did court her in the same manner as the two former and after him there came two or three others who all did partake in that sweet prison This life continued a long time and was so finely carried that they understood nothing of one anothers adventures And although they knew well enough the love which one another did bear unto her yet every one thought that none of them all had any Interest in her but himself alone and every one flouted his Companion for being disappointed in his great expectation One day when the Gentlemen above-named were at Dinner where they were all very merry they did begin to discourse of their fortunes and of the prisons they had been in during the wars but Valcebron who was unable for any time to conceal so good a fortune as that which they had all enjoyed did say unto his Companions I know not what prisons you have been in but as for my self for the love of a prison in which I have been I will speak the praises of it during my life above all others For I doe believe there is no pleasure in this World that can be compared to that where I have been Prisoner Astillon who was the first Prisoner did suspect what Prison it was he meant and said unto him Valcebron Under what Jaolor or Jaoloresse were you so well used that you so much extol your Prison Valcebron made answer to him Whosoever was the Jaolor the Prison was so agreeable unto me that I doe wish with all my heart that it had continued longer for I was never better used nor more contented Duraceir who was a man but of few words did understand well enough that they discoursed of that Prison in which he had his share as well as they and said unto Valcebron With what Viands were you nourished in that Prison which so highly you commend The King said Valcebron did not feed on better nor more nourishing Neverthelesse it were requisite said Duraceir I should know if the Person whosoever it were that kept you Prisoner did not make you earn your bread Valcebron who doubted he was understood could not contain himself but said Ha! Is it so O Wit and grave discretion I find now that I have Companions where I thought I had been alone Astillon observing the Debate and knowing that he had a part in the prison as well as the rest could not forbear from laughing and said We all follow one Master and are the Friends and Companions of his youth If we have been Companions together in any bad fortune we have occasion to laugh at it but to know whether that be true or no which I suggest unto my self I must beseech you to give me leave to put an interrogatory or two unto you and that you will be pleased to confesse the Truth unto me for if that is befallen us as I doe conjecture it will be one of the most pleasant adventures that ever in any place was heard of They all did swear to speak the truth since it was so that they must not deny it He said unto them I will tell you my fortune and you shall all answer me I or no if yours be not like unto mine They did all accord unto him and immediately he began In the first place I demanded leave of the King to take a Journey into the Country They all answered And so did all we When I was two miles from the Court I left all my followers behind me and did goe to render my self Prisoner They all made answer We did all the like I stayed said Astillon seven or eight days locked up in a Wardrope where I did feed on nothing but Restoratives and the most pleasant Viands which ever I tasted and at the end of eight days they who kept me prisoner did let me goe but far more feeble than when I came They did all swear The very same was all their fortunes My imprisonment said Astillon did end on such a day And then did mine begin said Duraceir it was on the very same day in which yours did end and it continued eight days Valcebron lost all patience and did begin to swear s'Blood For ought that I can see I am the third who thought my self to be the first and only man but I came in on such a day and did goe forth on such a day The other three who were at table did swear that one after another they all observed the same order Since it is so said Astillon I will inform you with the condition of my Jaoloresse She is a married Woman and her Husband is far off imployed in the Kings service They all made answer It is the very same woman Well then said Astillon to put our selves out of all doubt I who was the first of all inrolled will first of all name her it is Madam the Countesse who is so full of state forsooth that in gaining her love I thought I had overcom Caesar May all the Devils take the Slut who hath put us all to so much trouble and made us to think our selves so happy in having a place in her affection There was never any like unto her for when she had one in her Cage she was looking about and dealing for another to keep her self always in exercise I had rather be dead than let her go so without any punishment at all They demanded of Duraceir what he thought of it and what punishment she ought to have protesting they would be all ready to inflict it on her In my opinion said he we ought to acquaint the King our Master with it who doth reverence her like a Goddesse We will not do so said Astillon we have means enough in our own hands to be revenged on her without appealing to our Master We shall find her to morrow morning when she goes to Mass at what time we will all be ready to attend her every one with a little hoop or collar of Iron about his neck and when she enters into the Church we will all together present our selves at once before her and salute her as we shall think sitting This Counsel was approved by all the Company and every one provided himself with a Collar of Iron The morning being come they being all cloathed in black and every one with a Hoop of Iron about his neck in the
the privy Counsel of God being ignorant of the first Causes do find all things new and so much the more admirable as we have the lesse desire or ability to perform them Wherefore fear not but that the Days Works that are to come will be altogether as pleasing and as full of variety as those which are passed only do you on your parts use your best indeavours Oysilla said that she did recommend her self unto God in whose name she did bid them Goodnight with that all the Company withdrew putting a period to the fifth Days Work The End of the fifth Days Work The Sixth Days VVork of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface IN the Morning more early than ordinary Madam Oysilla was in the Hall ready to begin her Lecture of which when of all those her Company were advertised for the desire they had to pertake in her good instruction they did make themselves ready with so much diligence that she stayed not long for them She knowing their hearts did read unto them the Epistle of Saint John the Evangelist which is full of Love The Company found those Viands to be so sweet that although they stayed there above half an hour longer than on other dayes they were accustomed yet it did not seem to them to be half a quarter of an hour departing from thence they repaired to Masse where every one of them did commend himself to the holy Spirit that on that day they might satisfie the pleasant audience After they had dined and taken a little repose in their chambers they resorted to the Meadow to continue there their accustomed Recreations Madam Oysilla demanded who should begin that days Journey Longaren made answer Madam I do give you my voice for this day you have read unto us so excellent a Lecture that it is impossible but you should rehearse unto us some history that may deserve to accomplish the glory which this morning you have merited It doth much grieve me said Oysilla that I cannot rehearse unto you this afternoon something which may be as profitable to you as what I did speak in the morning Neverthelesse the intention of my History shall not stray much from the Doctrine of the Word of God where it is written Put not your Confidence in Princes nor in the Sons of Man for of them cometh not your Salvation And that for want of an Example you may not bury that truth in oblivion I will recite unto you a sad Legend the memory whereof is so fresh that the tears are yet scarce wiped from their eyes who beheld the pitiful spectacle THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The perfidiousnesse and cruelty of an Italian The first Novel A Duke of Italy whose name I will conceal had a Son of eight and twenty years of age who was much in love with a young Maid of a good and honest Family and because he could not have the liberty to speak unto her as he would according to the custom of the Country he assisted himself by a Gentleman who was his Servant who was amorous also on a handsome young Maid a Servant to his Mother by whom he caused the great affection which he did bear unto his Sweetheart to be discovered The poor Maid thought no hurt of it but did take pleasure to doe him service conceiving his desires to be so just and honest that he had no other intention but she might well doe the message with honour and a good Conscience But the Duke who had more regard to the advancement of his House than to honest Love had so great a fear that these Loves might proceed to marriage that he did set a very strict watch over them and he was informed that the poor Girl was imployed to carry Letters from his Son to her whom he loved at which he was so incensed that he resolved to give an order to prevent it But he could not so well dissemble his choler but the Damosel was advertised of it who knowing the cruelty of the Prince which was as great as his Conscience was little she was in a marvellous fear and addressed her self unto the Dutchesse beseeching her to give her leave to withdraw her self into some place out of his sight until his choler was passed over But her Mistresse made answer to her that she would know her Husbands pleasure before she would give her leave Not long afterwards she understood the evil resolution of the Duke and knowing his complexion too well she not only did give the Maid leave to depart but advised her to retire her self into a Monastery until the Tempest was blown over which accordingly she did and as privately as possibly she could howsoever the Duke by his Spies was advertised of it with a countenance pretending Joy he demanded of his Wife where the Maid was who thinking that he already knew the truth did confesse unto him where she was for which he seemed to be sorry and told her that she needed not to put on so sad a Countenance for he on his part did mean no hurt unto her wherefore he advised her to send for her back again for he said the report of such a thing would not be good The Dutchesse said unto him if the poor Girl were so unfortunate as to be deprived of his favour it were better that for a certain time she should not appear in his presence But he would not receive nor allow her reasons and did command her that she should send for her again The Dutchesse did not fail to declare unto the Maid the pleasure and good will of the Duke of which she could not assure her self but besought her that she might not tempt her fortunes for she knew well enough the conditions of the Duke and whatsoever pretence he made it was most difficult unto his Nature to forgive The Dutchesse assured her that she should receive no prejudice at all and by her Messenger made protestations to her of it upon her life and honour The Maid who knew well enough that her Mistresse loved her and would not for any thing circumvent her did take a confidence in her promise believing that the Duke would never violate that security in which the honour of his Wife was ingaged and thereupon returned to the Dutchesse The Duke when ever he understood thereof did come into his Wives Chamber and having seen the Maid he said unto his Wife look yonder who is returned and turning himself towards the Gentlemen that followed him he commanded them to take hold of her and to carry her to prison The poor Dutchesse who upon the honour of her Word had tempted her out of the place of her protection was so astonished at it that she kneeled down before him and besought him most importunately for his own honour and for the honour of his House that he would not commit such an Act seeing that to obey him she had taken her from the place of security where she
wanting we must borrow something of Hypocrifie just as we do when we wear Pantofles to make us appear a little higher than we are and doth it not do well howsoever that we can find a way to cover our imperfections To tell you what I think said Hircan it were better sometimes to shew some imperfection than peremptorily to cover it with the mantle of Virtue It is true indeed said Emarsuite that a Garment borrowed doth as much dishonour him who is enforced to return it as it did him credit when he did wear it And there hath been that Lady to my knowledge alive who to cover a small fault hath fallen into a greater I do suspect said Hircan who it is you speak of wherefore at the least doe not name her And why so said Guebron I do give you my voice but upon a condition that after you have recited your Account you will declare the Name and we will all swear unto you never to make any reiteration of it I do promise you that I will said Emarsuite for there is nothing but may be spoken of with Honour The personal diligence of a Prince to remove an importunate Lover The third Novel KIng Francis the first of that name having retired himself into a most pleasant Castle with a small Retinue as well to solace himself with the pleasure of hunting the Buck as to repose himself from the troubles the noise of the City had in his Company a Pr. as wise as virtuous as gallant a man as any in the Kings Court He had espoused a Lady who had none of the greatest beauties but he did love her as well as a Husband could love a Wife And reposed so great a trust in her that if by chance he did take an affection to any other he did not conceal it from her knowing that she had no other desire but what was his The Prince did fall in love with a Lady that was a Widdow who had the reputation to be one of the fairest Ladies that could be looked upon and if the Prince loved her well his Wife did love her no lesse than he and did oftentimes invite her to eat and to drink with her finding her so wise and so honest that instead of being sorry that her Husband loved her she was glad with all her heart to see him to addresse himself to so fair a Creature filled with Honour and Virtue This love continued long insomuch that the Prince imployed himself in his own person in all the affairs of this Lady as if she had been his own Wife and the Princesse his Wife did do no lesse But because she was so exceeding beautiful many great Lords and Gentlemen did court her and were importunately sollicitous to obtain her favour some for love only and some for gifts for besides her beauty she was very rich Amongst others there was a young Gentleman who did follow her so close that he failed not to be in her Chamber every morning when she made her self ready and every evening when she undressed her self to goe to bed and as long as possibly he could he stayed with her all the day which pleased not the Prince for he thought that a Man of so poor a condition and of so rude a deport did not deserve that civil and gratious entertainment of which in private he often made Remonstrances to the Lady But she who was the Daughter of a Duke did excuse it saying That she without distinction did speak to all the World by reason whereof her love was the more concealed seeing that she did speak as much to one as to another At the end of half a year this Gentleman did court her in the way of marriage and did follow his sute with so much diligence that more for importunity than for any love she did promise him that she would accept him for her Husband intreating him that he would not declare it until her Daughters were all married After this promise the Gentleman without any fear of Conscience did goe at all hours into her Chamber when he pleased and there was but one Gentlewoman belonging to her Chamber and but one Gentleman that did know of the Contract they had made The Prince observing that the Gentleman did grow more and more familiar in the house of her whom so much he loved did take it so ill that he could not forbear thus to impart his jealous heart unto the Lady I have always loved your Honour as if you were my own Sister and you doe know the honest discourses with which I did always entertain you and the contentment which I received to love a Lady so wise and so virtuous as your self but I doe find that another who doth not deserve it hath by his importunity gained that which against your approbation I would not desire and this is an affliction not to be endured by me and will prove no lesse dishonourable to your self I doe acquaint you with it because you are young and beautiful and until now have lived in the height of reputation which every day will sink lower lower and being lost will not be easie to be regained And although he is no ways to be compared to you in Birth or Fortunes and much lesse in Authority Knowledge or Gracefulnesse it would be better far that you should marry him than to make all the world to suspect you Wherefore I beseech you to tell me truly if you are determined to love him for I will not have him to be my Companion and am resolved to leave you to him for altogether and I will by degrees withdraw my self from that familiar love which I have born unto you The poor Lady did begin to weep fearing to lose his love and did swear unto him that she had rather die than espouse that Gentleman of whom he did speak but she said that he was so importunate that she could not hinder him from comming into her Chamber on the hour when all the rest were accustomed to enter Of those hours said the Prince I doe not speak at all for I can then come in as well as he and every one may see what you doe But I am Informed that he finds admission into your Chamber after you are in bed a thing which I do find so strange and which comes so quite crosse unto me that I must tell you that if you continue that life and you doe not declare him for your Husband you will be one of the most dishonoured Women that ever was She made unto him all the Oaths that possible she could that she did not esteem him either for a Husband or a Friend but for an importunate Man as he was Well said the Prince since it is so that he is so much troublesome unto you I will take a course to prevent it How said she will you cause him to be put to death No no said the Prince but I will give him to understand that he
to Toby to procure an accomplished Husband for your Daughter for I dare assure you that I have now in hand one of the most honest young Gentlemen in all Italy who hath somewhere seen your Daughter and is so much taken with her that this day being in Prayer God did send him to me and of his own accord he declared unto me the passionate desire he had unto this marriage I who doe well know his Family and his Kinred and what is the conversation of his own life did promise him to acquaint you with it True it is there is one inconvenience in it and it is all which I doe know that ingaging himself to assist one of his friends whom another would have killed he did draw his Sword thinking to part them but it so fell out that his friend did kill his Enemy wherefore he although he did strike no blow at all was constrained to fly out of the Town because he was present at the Man-slaughter and by the counsel of his Parents he is come to this Town in the Habit of a Scholar where he doth live unknown until his Parents doe give satisfaction unto Justice which he hopeth will be in a very few days For this cause the marriage ought to be as private as possibly you can and you must be content to have him goe every day to the publick Lectures and every night he may come home to Supper and lie in your house The Lady being over-joyed did say unto him Sir in that which you speak I doe find a great advantage for by this means I shall have him near unto me and every night in my house which I desire above any thing in the world To accomplish this the Frier brought him to her in a very good Habit having on a Crimzen Satten doublet at which she was very glad After he was come the preparations for the Wedding immediatly began and when ever the midnight was passed Masse was said and the young couple were married and afterwards did goe to bed together About the break of day the Bridegroom said unto the Bride that because he must not be missing at the Lecture he was constrained to goe unto the College and having put on his doublet of Crimson Satten and his Scholars Gown not forgetting his square Cap he came to bid his Bride good morrow who was in bed and assured her that in the Evening he would come to Supper to her but at dinner he desired her that she would not expect him and so having kissed her he took his leave of his Wife who thought her self to be the happiest Woman in the World having got so good a Husband And the young married Frier returned to his old Father to whom he brought the two thousand Duckets accordingly as they had covenanted between themselves at the agreement of the mariage and at Evening he failed not to return to Supper unto her who did believe he was her Husband who preserved himself so well in hers and her Mâ—thers love that they would not have changed him for the greatest Prince in the World This life continued a certain time but as God hath pity on those who out of the simplicity of a good intent are deceived it so fell out that one morning this young Gentlewoman and her Mother had a great Devotion to hear Masse at the Covent of St Francis and to give a visit to their Father the Confessor by whose means they were so well provided the one with a Son-in-law and the other with an Husband and by fortune not finding their Confessor nor any other of their acquaintance they were resolved to hear high Masse which was then beginning expecting the coming of their Confessor The young Gentlewoman being attentive to the Divine Service and the Mysteries therein contained when the Priest turned towards the common people to say Dominus Vobiscum was struck with a sudden amazement for she thought with her self that it was her Husband or one very like him but she would not speak one word but attended until he turned once more towards them when she looked upon him more advisedly with the sharpest discretion of her eye and she did then assure her self that it was he wherefore she took her Mother by the Arm who was in a great contemplation and said unto her Woe is me Madam Who is that whom I see yonder Her Mother being startled at it said Who She replyed unto her it is my own Husband who says Masse it is impossible that any one in the world should so much resemble him Her Mother who had not well observed him did say unto her Daughter I pray you suffer not such a thought to invade your fancy for it is a thing absolutely impossible that those who are religious and holy men should be guilty of such a trompery you doe greatly Sin against God to believe such an opinion Neverthelesse her Mother did more stedfastly fasten her eyes upon him And when he turned again to say Ite Missa est she confessed that truly never two Brothers that came out of one Belly were more like for all this she was so innocent that lifting up her eyes she said My God assist me that I may not believe what I see but because it so much concerned her Daughter she determined to examin the businesse further and to be resolved in her self of the truth thereof When the Evening came her Husband who did not see them at Masse did return according to his Custom and the Mother coming to the Daughter said unto her We may now know the truth if you will whether he who said Masse be your Husband or no For as soon as he shall be in bed I will come to you and he not thinking of it you shall pluck his Cap from off his head and we shall both see if he hath such a Crown as he had who said Masse this day This resolution being taken was accordingly put in execution for as soon as the ungracious Husband was in bed the old Woman came into the Chamher and taking him by both his hands as it were in sport her Daugher pulled off his Cap and beheld his shaven Crown whereat they were so much astonished that it is impossible to be more And immediatly they called their Servants who did take him and bind him until it were morning the many excuses and the fair words he made being all in vain The morning appearing the Lady sent to seek her Confessor pretending that she had a great Secret to impart to him who immediatly did come unto her and she caused him to be taken and bound as was the younger Frier reproaching them for the horrible abuse they had committed And presently afterwards she delivered them unto Justice into whose hands she did commit them both where you may judge if any of understanding be present to judge that they did not goe unpunished Here Ladies by demonstration you may find that all those who do vow poverty
are not exempt from being tempted with avarice which is the occasion of so many Evils Nay rather of so much goods said Saffredant for the two thousand Duckets which the old Woman gave the Friers out of her Treasury were goods enough to make them merry And the poor Girl her Daughter who had so long stayed for one Husband might now by this means have two and be better enabled to dispute the truth of all Complexions You entertain always the worst thoughts that may be said Oysilla for in your own opinion all women are of your own temper Madam by your leave said Saffredant I did not care if they were provided they were as easie to be contented as we Men are You speak against the Truth said Oysilla for I am consident there is not a woman here amongst us but knows the contrary and moreover you speak directly against the sense of the Account just now rehearsed which was to shew the ignorance of poor woman and the subtilty and the sin of those whom we do commonly believe to be better Men than all others for you shall find that neither the good Woman nor her Daughter did any thing of their own heads but submitted their desires unto the Counsel of their Confessor Howsoever there are some women so difficult to please said Longaren that in their own opinions they do deserve to have Angels for their Husbands and that is the reason said Simontault that so oftentimes they do find Devils especially those Women who not relying on the Grace of God do trust altogether to their own apprehensions or are slattered to a conceit by others to find in this world that felicity which is not given nor can come from any but from God only How now Simontault said Oysilla I thought you had not known so much Madam said Simontault I am sorry that you conceive me to be no better experienced for through my defect of knowledge I perceive that you entertain a bad opinion of me but for all that by your leave why may not I perform the office of a Frier since a Frier hath performed the office of such a Man as I am Fy fy Do you call it an office said Parlament to deceive Women in doing so out of your own mouth you judg your self If I should deceive a hundred thousand of them said Simontault I should not be reveng'd for the torments which but from one of them I have received I know well enough said Parlament that oftentimes you do make your complaint against Ladies yet neverthelesse we see you jocund and in so good liking that we cannot believe you suffer so much as you say you do But the Author of the fair Lady doth affirm that from bad promises no good can be expected to ensue You do allege a notable Doctor said Simontault who is not only stubborn and churlish himself but also makes them all to be so who do read and follow his Doctrine So it is said Parlament that his Doctrine is more profitable to young Women than any Doctrine that I know But said Simontault If Ladies were without mercy we might set up our Horses in our Stables and let our Armor rust upon our walls and think on nothing but our Country affairs I pray tell me if it be for the honour of a Lady to have the Name to be without pity without Charity without Mercy Without Love and Charity said Parlament she must not be but the word of Mercy doth sound so strangely in the ears of Ladies that they cannot use it without some offence unto their Honours for Mercy properly is to grant that favour which is demanded and we know well enough what is the favour which Men do desire Be not displeased Madam said Simontault there are some Men so reasonable that they desire only but good words You cause me now said Parlament to remember him who did content himself with a Glove I would fain know said Hircan who was that gracious Servant and for that cause I do give you my voice It will be a pleasure to me said Parlament to repeat it to you for the story is full of Honesty A ridiculous account of a Lord of England who on his Habiliments did wear the Glove of a Lady The Seventh Novell KIng Lewis the eleventh did send the Earl of Montmorancy as his Ambassador into England who was there so well entertained that the King and all his Nobility did love and highly esteem him and many of them did communicate unto him their private affairs to have his Counsel therein Being one day at a Banquet which the King had made there sate next unto him a Lord descended of most noble Parentage who did wear a Ladies Glove made fast on his Brest as if it were for a Favour it was wrought all over with gold and on the joynts of the fingers there were many rich Diamonds Rubies Emraulds and Pearls insomuch that the Glove was valued at a very great price The Earl of Montmorancy did so often look upon it that my Lord perceived that he had a desire to know the reason wherfore he was in so gallant an equipage and because he conceived that it would conduce much to his honour he began to speak unto him I do perceive you do find it strange that I have so gorgeously accoutred a poor glove I have a great desire to acquaint you with the occasion of it for I conceive you to be so worthy a Man â—nd so knowing what the passion of Love is that if I have done well I know you will praise me if not you will excuse Love who doth carry a great Command over all noble hearts You must understand That during all my life I have loved a Lady that I do love her and will love her after my death And because my heart had more boldnesse to addresse it self on a time and place unto her than my tongue had to speak unto her I stayed seven years without daring to make any semblance at all unto her knowing that if she perceived it I should lose both the means which I had so often to frequent the place where she was by the reason whereof I entertained as much fear as love But one day being in the field and looking on her such a beating of my heart did take me that I lost both my Colour and all my Countenance which she very well perceived and asked me How I did I made answer to her That it was an insupportable Grief of my heart She who thought that it was a Malady of another sort than Love did shew her self to have pity on me which made me to beseech her to put her hand upon my heart to see how violently it did beat which she did more for charity than for love And puting her hand which was gloved upon my heart my heart did so beat and torment iâ— self that she perceived I did speak the Truth Immediatly I did press her hand as close as I could
unto it and said unto her Ah Madam Receive the heart which will break through my Brest to leap into your hand from whom I doe hope for Grace Life and Mercy which now constrains me to declare unto you that love which for so long a time I have concealed from you for neither you nor I are Masters of that puissant God When she understood the words which I did speak unto her she found them very strange and would have drawn back her hand but I did hold it so fast to my heart that at last although she plucked away her cruel hand yet the gentle Glove stayed behind And because I had not then nor had ever since any greater familiarity with her I have fastned this Glove near unto my wounded heart it being the most propper Plaster which I could give unto it And I have adorned this Glove as you see with all the fairest Rings and the most pretious things which are in my possession and I will not leave it for the Kingdom of England for there is nothing in the World which doth me more good than to feell it near my Heart The Earl of Montmorancy who had rather kisse the Hand than love the Glove of a Lady did much extol him for his gerat honesty and assured him that he was the truest Lover that ever he beheld and seeing he made so much of so little what would he have done he told him if he had received a greater favour from her than a Glove It may be he would have dyed through the excesse and violence of his Joy My Lord did readily acknowledge what the Earl of Montmorancy said not suspecting that he did speak it out of mockery If all Gentlemen in the World were of my Lords honesty Ladies might well repose their confidence in them seeing it would cost them no more than the losse of a Glove I know so well the Earl of Montmorancy of whom you speak said Guebron that I am confident he would not have lived in that torment and if he would have been contented with so little he would never have received those great fortunes which he hath enjoyed by Love for the old Song says The Amorous Coward is unsuccesseful Do you think said Saffredant that the poor Lady did not discreetly draw back her hand when she found his heart to beat so violently for she might think with her self that he would have dyed and there is nothing in the World which Women doe hate more than to touch the dead If you had so much haunted the Hospitals as you have done the Taverns said Emarsuite you would not have spoken those words for you shall find Women there to bury the dead which is an office that Men oftentimes as hardy as they pretend themselves to be are afraid to perform It is true said Simontault that there are none who do penance but do clean contrary to that in which they have taken pleasure as the Gentlewoman whom I have seen in a great house in this Kingdom who to satisfie for the pleasure which she had to kisse one whom she loved was seen in a morning four hours together to kisse the dead body of a Gentleman who was slain the day before whom she loved no lesse than the other whereby it was known that she did penance for her passed pleasures We may see said Oysilla how all the good deeds which Women do receive a sinister interpretation amongst Men. I am of opinion that neither the dead nor the living ought to be kissed if God bad not commanded it As for my self said Hircan I do care so little for kissing any Woman but my own that I shall willingly accord to all the Laws that shall prohibit it only I shall pitty young people from whom you would take that little contentment and nullifie the Commandment of Saint Paul who doth give us order that we should kisse in osculo sancto If you were such a Man as Saint Paul said Nomerfide we should find it by the operation of that Spirit which did speak in him You had rather said Guebron doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture than fail in one of your petty Ceremonies We do not therefore doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture said Oysilla because we do not believe your Fables There is no Woman here but knoweth well enough what she ought to believe and what she ought to doe which is not to doubt of the truth of the Word of God but to give no belief to the vanities of men who would turn us aside from the truth I am of a firm belief said Simontault that there are more Men deceived by Women than Women by Men for the little Love which they bear to us doth keep them from believing the truth and the great Love which we do bear to them doth make us to repose confidence in their falshoods and their slatteries insomuch that we are deceived before we do suspect our selves to be so I believe said Parlament that you have heard the Complaint of the Fool who was deceived by his own folly for your Discourse is of so small authority that iâ— had need to be fortified by Example wherefore if you know any one I will give you my Place to account it to us And think not that for one word or two we will be subject to believe you but in listning to you to speak evil of us our Novels shall find no prejudice at all Since I have the place said Simontault I will rehearse unto you my History A Lady of the Court did pleasantly revenge her self of her Servant for his Love The eighth Novell IN the Court of King Francis the first there was a Lady of a gallant Spirit who by her civility gracefulness and good language had gained the hearts of many Servants with whom she knew very well to passe away the time for her Honour being reserved she entertained them all so pleasantly that they knew not what to think of themselves for those who were most assured were in some despair and those who wer most desperat did take some â—ssurance Neverthelesse making sport with all the rest she loved one of them intirely whom she called Cosin which gave a colour to his better entertainment But as there is nothing permanent their love oftentimes did turn into Discontent and not long afterwards they would renew their affections more than ever insomuch that almost not any of the Court were ignorant of it One day this Lady as well to make him understand that she took not so much delight in any thing as to put him to some perplexity for whose Love she had endured so much she contrived with her self to give him better respects than ever she had done heretofore Wherefore he who neither in Arms or in Love did want for boldnesse did begin vigorously to purchase that which so often he in vain had desired and she protending that out of meer pity she was no longer able to deny him
did seem to accord to his demand and told him that for that purpose she would goe into a Chamber of hers which was three stories high where she knew well enough there would be none to disturb them and counsolled him as soon as be observed her to go out of the Room where she was not to fail to follow her assuring him that he should find her there alone to satisfie the heat of that Love which he did bear unto her The Gentleman who believed her words was so glad that he began to be frolick with the other Ladies attending the happy minute of her going forth being himself immediately to follow her And she who did excell in the Arts of Subtilty with which all other Women do abound did repair unto two great Princesses with whom she was familiar and said unto them If you please I will shew you the best pastime that you ever saw They who of themselves were not addicted to Melancholy did intreat her to tell them what it was and with whom She made answer It is with one whom you know to be as honest a Gentleman as may be and withall as audacious You are not ignorant of the many evil offices he hath done me and especially that at this time when I loved him best of all he is in love with others for which I do endure more grief than I do make apparent At this time God hath given me the means to revenge my self it is That I am now going up up into my chamber which is above this and if you please but to watch him you shall immediately observe him to follow after me and after he hath gon all along the Gallery when you shall find that he goes up the stairs to my Chamber I must beseech you that you will stand both at the Windows to assist me to cry out A Thief A Thief and you shall perceive how red he will kindle with choler and hear what a noise he will make And although I do believe that he will carry it with confidence and gracefulnesse enough if he doth not make any lowd Complaints I shall believe that he is sensible of the Injuries he hath done me This Agreement was not made without some laughing for there was not a Gentleman in all the Court that did quarrel more with the Ladies than himself and he was so beloved and esteemed by every one of them that they could not well be without him and were glad when they found themselves in the danger and circle of his mockery and now they thought they should all three partake in that Glory and Victory which only one Woman hoped to obtain against him Therefore when ever they did see the Lady to go out of the Room who had undertaken the Enterprise they did begin to observe the Countenance of the Gentleman who shifted himself from one place to another and when he was gone out of the door the two Ladies did follow him into the Gallery because they would not lose the sight of him He who suspected nothing did cast his cloak over his shoulders and muffled himself with it because he would not be seen and first of all he did go down the stairs into the Court and afterwards came up again and descrying one whom he would not have a Witnesse of what he was about to doe he did goe down the Stairs into the Court again and immediately going round about did come up on the other side The two Ladies did observe him all the while and he thought himself to be undiscovered by any When he came to the Stairs on which he was to ascend to the Chamber of the Lady the two Ladies did begin to put their heads out of the Window and immediately they perceived the Lady in her own Chamber who putting her Head out of the Window as far as ever she could stretch it did cry out a Thief a Thief and the two Ladies at the Window below bid repeat her words so shrilly that all the Castle did ring with them I leave unto you to judge in what a choler the Gentleman was who did run down the Stairs into his own Lodging not so much muffled but he was plainly enough discovered by those who knew the Mystery who have since upbraided him with it especially she did by whom the plot was laid who told him that she was now revenged of him but he had his defences and his ananswers so ready that he made them believe that he knew before hand of their enterprise well enough and that he had promised the Lady to give her only a civil visite as for any love he did bear unto her he said that was gone long agoe Howsoever it was the Ladies were unwilling to allow his reasons the truth whereof is yet under doubt But if it were so that he did believe that Lady as it is not probable seeing he was so wise and full of spirit that of his age there was not the like in his time as he hath made apparent to us by his most resolute death you must confesse with me that the love of virtuous Men is such that they are oftentimes deceived in believing the flatteries of Women In good earnest said Emarsuite I do commend that Lady in what she hath done for when a Man is beloved of a Lady and doth forsake her for another she cannot too much revenge the injury Especially said Parlament If she were not beloved for there are some who do love Men without being assured to be beloved again and when they know that they do love others all they can allege is that they are inconstant Wherefore those who are wise are never deceived with their Words for they make no reckoning of them and will not believe any but those only whom by experience they do find to be true because they will not throw themselves away upon Lyers for both the true and the false have both of them one language If all were of your opinion said Simontault Gentlemen may put up their Requests in their Pockets But for all that either you or such as you are can object we will always believe that Women are as incredulous as they are beautiful and this opinion shall make us live as contentedly as you would put us into trouble with your temptations Truly said Longaren knowing well enough who that Lady was who did give that affront unto that Gentleman I cannot find any thing whereof to accuse her for since she spared not her own Husband she ought not to forbear her Friend It seems then said Simontault that you know more of her than my self wherefore I do give you my place to recite unto us the Account of her A Gentleman thinking in secret to kisse one of the Maid-servants of his Wife was taken by her in the manner The ninth Novel THe Lady of whom you made the Account was married to a Husband of a good and an antient Family A rich Gentleman and one who loved both
the one and the other of them very well did make the Marriage She who was a pleasant Woman did tell her Husband without dissimulation that she had Servants in whose Company she loved to passe away the time with whom he himself might partake of the Pleasure at last this married life seemed too tedious to him for on the one side he was displeased that so long a time she did give so great entertainment to those who had no relation to him at all and on the other side he was much grieved at the great expences he was constrained to be at to maintain her in her gorgeous apparel to follow the Court. Wherefore as often as he could he would retire unto his house in the Country where so much Company came to see her that it did not much diminish his expences at the Court For his Wife in whatsoever place she was would find some means or other to passe away the time either at play or at dancing or at some other exercise in which young Ladies may honestly exercise themselves and oftentimes when her Husband would smiling say unto her that they lived at too high a rate she would make answer and assure him that she would never make him a Cuckold although she loved to be seen in those habiliments which were most rich and gorgeous for not any in all the Court did hardly exceed her which was the occasion that her Husband did bring her to the Court as seldom as possibly he could although she used all the means she could to resort often to it and to win him the more she would so comply with him in all things that there was nothing almost so impossible to be had that he would refuse to bestow upon her Finding one day that all the inventions she could use were of no efficacy to perswade him to make a voyage to the Court she perceived that he made very much of one of the Maids of her Chamber and one day she did take her aside by her self and did cunningly propound unto her so many questions that what by promises and what by threatnings the Girl did confesse unto her that ever since she came into her house there passed not a day in which her Master did not sollicite her to Love him but she had rather die than do any thing against God or her Conscience and seeing she had done her the honour to entertain her in her service she believed it would be a double and an unpardonable sin to yield unto her Masters importunities The Lady understanding the disloyalty of her Husband was suddenly transported with the two violent passions of Love and Joy seeing her Husband who made such a semblance to love her would procure such a shame both to her and to himself although she knew her self to be far more beautifull and of a more flowing carriage than was the other for whom he would have changed But her Joy was that she hoped to take her Husband in so great a fault that he should never reproach her more for her long stay at the Court And the better to arive unto it she intreated the Maid by little and little to accord to what her Husband did desire but upon such Conditions as she should propound unto her The Maid was very difficult to be perswaded to it but being assured by her Mistresse both of her Life and Honour she agreed to submit unto her in all things The Gentleman continuing his sute did observe the Ey and the Countenance of the Maid to be much changed wherfore he did prosecute her more vigorously than he was accustomed to do and she who had her lesson by heart did represent her poverty unto him and withall that if she obeyed him she should lose her Mistresses love and service having received great hopes to gain a good Husband by her The Gentleman made answer to her that she need not take any care for all those things for he would marry her better and more richly than it was possible for her Mistresse to do and moreover that he would carry the affair so secretly that no man should speak evil of her At these words the agreement was made and considering with themselves what place was most fit for the accomplishment of so goodly a work she told him that she knew no place more convenient for the businesse nor more far from suspition than the little Lodge that was in the Parke where there was a Bed and a Chamber fit for the purpose The Gentleman who would have disliked no place was very well contented that she had nominated that and the time seemed very tedious to him untill the day and the hour were come The Maid failed not in the performance of the promise which she made unto her Mistresse and acquainted her all along with the whole discourse of the enterprise which was to be the next day after dinner and assured her that on the hour when she was to go she would not fail to give her some notice of it Her Mistresse did heartily intreat her to take a great care what she was about to do and that she herself would not fail to be there at the hour to keep her from the danger into which she had put her self by obeying her Counsels Moreover to her assurances she added oathes and charged her not to be fearful of any thing and that she never would forsake her but preserve her both then and for the time to come from the fury of her Husband The next day being come the Gentleman made himself as fine as might be and after Dinner be seemed to make more of his Wife than he was accustomed to do But this because she knew of his Intentions was not very agreeable to her but she dissembled her thoughts so well that he perceived nothing at all Dinner being done she demanded of him at what sport he would please to pass away the time He made answer to her that for the present he could devise no better pastime than to play at Cards Immediately they did begin to play but she would not play her self but said It would be pleasure enough for her to look upon the Gamesters As he began to set himself to play he fayled not to speak unto the Maid not to forget her promise and when he was at play she passed through the Hall and made a sign unto her Mistresse of the pilgrimage she was going who took notice of it very well but the Gentleman did not perceive it An hour after one of his Grooms did make a sign unto him a far off whereupon he said unto his Wife that his Head did begin to ake and that he was constrained to walk abroad a little for his health and to take the Air. She who knew his malady as well as himself did ask him if she should play out his Game he said yes with all his heart and by and by he would return again Howsoever she assured him that for two hours
it should never trouble her to possesse his place In this manner the Gentleman departed and did goe first into his Chamber and afterwards he came down into the Garden and walked thorough an Alley into his Park His Wife who knew a nearer way did stay a little behind him and on a sudden making an apparence of some extraordinary businesse she did give her Cards to another And as soon as ever she was gone out of the Hall leaving her high Pattens behind her she did run as fast as she could to that place where she would not have the market to be made without her and was there in good time for she came into the Chamber at one door a little before her Huband did enter at the other and she did hide her self behind the hangings listning very attentively to the goodly discourse and the fair and flatering promises which her Husband had with the Chambermaid But when she perceived that he began to commit the Act she plucked him by his Garment behind and said unto him I am too near unto you to take any other besides my self If the Gentleman were angry to extremity you need not to doubt being as well disappointed of the pleasures which he hoped to receive as to see that his Wife did know that which he would not have her therefore truly conceiving that the train was laid by the Maid without speaking one word to his Wife he did run after her with so much fury that if his Wife had not taken her out of his hands he had undoubtedly killed her saying it was the boldest and the basest baggage that ever he saw and that if his Wife had but concealed her self a little longer she should find apparently enough that the whole contrivement was nothing but mockery for instead of doing that which the Maid propounded to herself he had brought rods to chastise her But she who knew well enough the metal of her Husband did not think so well of it neither would she believe him and made him so many Remonstrances that he enterteained a great fear that she would forsake him wherefore he made her all the promises that possibly she could desire and confessed unto her that he had done her wrong to think worse of her than he did of his Serving Maid For an honest and a fair Woman is not the lesse virtuous for being not beloved because she neither speaks nor does any thing that is against her Honour but the Man is he who doth deserve a great punishment and puts himself to an endlesse trouble to court and follow one who doth not love him to wrong both his Wife and his Conscience Wherefore he did promise her that he would never hinder her more from going to Court nor would ever think ill of it let her entertain as many Servants to Court her as she pleased for he knew well enough that she did speak unto those rather out of Complement than affection This discourse did nothing displease the Lady for she knew that she had got him at a great advantage neverthelesse she did speak unto him clean contrary to her heart for she pretended that of late she took no pleasure at all to goe to the Court and that she regarded his love more than any thing in the World without which all companies whatsoever were most unpleasing to her saying that a virtuous Woman beloved by her Husband and returning love to him again did carry with her a safe Passeport to speak to all the World and not to be controuled by any The Maid being gone down the stairs the poor Gentleman took such great pains to shew her by effects the strength and assurance of his Love that at the last they departed from that place thoroughly reconciled And to return no more to the former Inconvenience he did beseech her to put away that Maid by whose occasion he had run himself into so great a Danger Which she did accordingly but it was by marrying her well and honourably at his own charges And to make his Wife altogether to forget that folly he not long afterwards did go along with her to the Court with so brave a Retinue and her self so gorgeously set forth with variety of rich habiliments that she had great reason to be contented Ladies This is that which in the foregoing Story did make me speak unto you that I find it not strange what she did to her Servant seeing how she did use her Husband You have given us here said Hircan the Character of a subtile woman and a foolish Husband for seeing he was come so far he should never have stayed in so fair a way Why what should he have done said Longaren That which he had in hand said Hiâ—can for seeing his wife was angry with him because she knew what he intended she could not be more if he had performed it Nay it may be that ever after she would have thought the better of him having known him to be so gallant and so venturous a Companion It is well presumed said Emarsuite But where will you find one Man that overcame two Women at one time for the Wife did defend her Right and the Maid her Virginity It is true said Hircan but a bold and a couragious Man would not have been afraid to have assaulted them both at once I do believe said Emarsuite that if he had drawn his sword he might have killed them both but otherwise I do not see what he could have don No said Hircan I would first have imbraced my wife and carried her in my arms out of doors and afterwards I would have don with the Chamber-maid what I pleased either by love or by force Hircan said Parlament It is sufficient and too much too that you know to do evil I am sure said Hircan that I give here no offence to those who are innocent in what I speak neither would I maintain an evil Act my self for to be serious I do not praise any Enterprise which of it self is worth nothing neither will I prise this Enterpriser since he did not put an end unto it rather for the fear than for the Love of his wife I do think it commendable and most worthy of true praise when a man loves his wife as God commandeth but if he cannot love her I do believe that he is not to fear her In truth said Parlament if Love will not make you a good Husband I have little hope that Fear will ever do it You need not fear at all said Hircan for the Love which I do bear unto you doth render me more obedient than the fear either of Death or Hell You may say what you please said Parlament but I have occasion enough to satisfie my self with what I have seen and known of you And of that which I do not know I will never suspect much less enquire I do find a great solly said Nomerfide in those Men and Women who are always enquiring after one
Novell to us which yesterday in the Evening you did promise I protest unto you Madam said Saffredant I shall get no dishonour amongst Detractors by speaking the truth neither shall I lose the good opinion of virtuous Ladies by declaring those Errors which Fools commit for by experience I have found what a misery it is to be far removed from the Honour of their society and if I had been out of their Favour I should not have been now alive And speaking those words he turned his eyes towards her who was the cause of all his grief and joy and looking on Emarsuite he made her so to blush as if she had known that she was the Lady to whom those words did address themselves howsoever he was no lesse understood by her by whom he desired to be heard Madam Oysilla assured him that he might speak the truth freely to the expence of those only whom it properly concern'd Wherefore said Saffredant I doe begin THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The Marvellous obstinacy of the most impudent and bold Love of a Woman of Burgundie to a Canon in the City of Autun The first Novel IN the City of Autun there lived a beautiful Woman tall fair and of the best features in her face that ever I have seen She was married to an honest Gentleman who seemed to be younger than her self wherewith she had reason to be contented Not long after that he had married her he brought her unto the City of Autun having some affairs there to dispatch which required his presence And whiles the Husband followed the Courts of Justice his Wife altogether followed the Church to pray to God for him she so much frequented the holy place that one of the Canons a very rich man did fall in love with her and did court her so affectionately that in the end the poor Gentlewoman did consent unto him Her Husband had not the least suspition of it and had a greater care to look to his money than to his Wife His business being ended and the time being come that he must depart and return to his own house which was at the least seven leagues from the City it was not without great grief unto the Gentlewoman but the Canon promised her to come oftentimes to visit her which he did pretending some great journey but his way lying alwayes by that Gentlemans house He was not so foolish but perceived it well enough wherefore he gave that Order that when the Canon came he should not see his Wife but caused her to hide her self that he might not speak unto her The Wife understanding the Jealousie of her Husband did not seem to be displeased at it but resolved with her self to find out a way to come unto him for she esteemed it to be a Hell unto her to to lose the sight of her Heaven One day when her Husband was gone abroad she so imployed all her Grooms and Chambermaids that she was left alone by her self and taking with her what she conceived to be necessary she immediately without any Companion at all but Love only did go on foot to the City of Autun where she came not so late but her Canon knew her well enough who kept her locked up and concealed from her Husband above a year for all the Admonitions and Excommunications which her Husband did bring forth against him At the last when he could find no other remedy he made his Complaint to the Bishop who had an Archdeacon as pious a Man as any was in France who so diligently searched all the Houses of the Canons that at last he found her whom he thought to be lost the Bishop put her in prison and the Canon was censured to suffer a very great penance The Husband finding that his Wife was reclaimed by the Admonitions of the Archdeacon and many other honest Gentlemen was content to take her again upon the Oaths she made for the time to come to live a chast and a virtuous life The good Man her Husband did willingly believe her because he did bear an extraordinary affection to her and bringing her home to his house did use her as respectfully as before only he did imploy two old Chambermaids whose busines it was never to suffer her to be alone but the one or the other of them were alwayes with her But whatsoever good entertainment he did give her the inordinate love which she did bear unto the Canon did make her esteem all her pleasures but torment And although she was a goodly and a most beautifull women and her Husband a man of an excellent complexion and of a very strong body yet she had never any children by him for her heart was alwayes seven leagues from her body which she so well dissembled that her Husband thought she had forgotten all that had been passed as he did for his own part But her desires could not be contained within the Compass of her Husbands house for at the very same time that she saw her Husband most loving to her and least of all suspitious she counterseited her self to be sick so well did carry the dissimulation that her Husband was in a great perplexity for her and spared for no costs to relieve her in her counterfeit Extremities And she played her part so cunningly that both he and all in the house with him did think that she was even sick unto Death and that by little and little she did pass away She observing that her Husband was as sad as he ought to be joyfull did intreat him that he would give her leave to make her Will which weeping most bitterly for her he did willingly give way unto She did give unto her Husband all that which she could give and desired pardon of him for the faults she had committed against him Having sent for the Curat she confessed and received the holy Satrament of the Altar so devoutly that every one did weep tears of joy to see her make so glorious an end When the Evening came she entreated her Husband that she might have the extreme unction for she grew so weak that she was afraid she should not be able to receive it alive In great diligence her Husband caused it to be brought unto her and she received it in so great humility that she stirred up every one to praise God for her After she had received all these Mysteries she said unto her Husband that seeing God had vouchsafed her so great a grace as to have taken all that which the Church commandeth she found her Conscience in so great a peace that she had a desire to take a litle rest desiring her Husband to do the like having great need of it by reasoo of the many tears he had shed and his long watchings with her When her Husband was asleep and all his Servants with him the two old Chambermaids who had so long watched her in her health being consident they could not lose her now unlesse it
were by Death did goe both to bed also to sleep out their fill And when she heard them to sleep so soundly that they did snort again she did rise in her Smock and did goe out of the Chamber listning if she could hear any noise about the House but being assured that all was quiet she took a Staff in her hand and did goe out at a little Garden door which was not shut and all that night in her Smock only she travelled bare foot towards Autun to her Saint that did preserve her from death But because the way was long she could not reach to the end of her journey before the break of day Not long afterwards she looked behind her and observed two Horsemen in a full gallop riding towards Autun and suspecting that it was her Husband who did ride in the pursute of her she did hide her self in the Fens hard by and covered her head with the Rushes and her Husband in full speed passing clole by she heard him to speak unto his Man as if he were in some great perplexity O wretched Woman who would have thought that under the covert of the holy Sacraments of the Church she would cover so wicked and so abhominable a design His Servant said unto him Sir Judas who was one of the Apostles taking such a Morsel did not fear to betray his Master think not the treachery of a Woman to be so strange and speaking those words her Husband passed by and his Wife continued amongst the rushes more joyfull that she had deceived him than she was at home in a bed of down in Slavery Her poor Husband searched over the whole City of Autun and found for certain that she was not there Wherefore he returned by the same way which he came and did nothing but complain of her all the way he did ride and of the losse which he received threatning her with death without mercy if ever he should find her again of which she had no more fear in her Soul than she felt cold in her body although the season of the year and the place wherein she covered her self might give her just reason to complain of her cold and melancholy voyage And by the imagination only how the fire of Hell doth burn those who are punished therein we may conceive the wonder how this poor wretch coming out of a Warm bed could be able to continue a whole day together in that extremity of cold Howsoever she lost not her resolution or her way for as soon as ever night appeared she did begin her journey again and in the dusk of the Evening when the Gate of the City was about to be shut this poor pilgrim arrived and failed not to goe directly to the place where her Saint lived who was so amazed at the sight that he could hardly believe that it was she but having diligently examined her with his eye and found by his hand that she had flesh and bones which a Spirit hath not he did rest himself assur'd that it was no Apparition and immediately did comply so well with her that she after wards did continue with him fifteen years together Having concealed her self for a certain time at the last she lost all fear and modesty and which is worse she took such a glory that she had such a friend that she shewed her self openly at the Church before the greatest part of the Ladies of that City and before the Magistrates the Officers and others and had many children by the Canon and amongst others a Daughter who was married to a very rich Merchant and so gorgeously apparelled at her Wedding day that all the good women of the City did murmur very greatly at it but it was not in their power to give any redresse unto it It so came to pass that in those dayes Queen Claudia Wife to the late King Francis travelling that way did lodge in that City and had in her Company Madam the Regent Mother to the King and the Dutchesse of Alençon who was her Daughter A Gentlewoman of the Chamber named Peretta did come unto the Dutchess and said unto her Madam I must beseech you to hear me you may peradventure do a greater work than if this day you had heard the Masses in all the Churches of France The Dutchess stayed very willingly to give ear unto her knowing that from her nothing but good Counsels could proceed Peretta immediately declared to her That she had taken a little Girl to assist her in the Queens Landry and having asked of her what was the Newes in the City she acquainted her with the Indignation of a great many Ladies and Gentlewomen of that City to see the Canons Lemman to be so impudent as to take the wall of them and informed her of a great part of her incontinent life The Dutchesse immediatly repaired to the Queen and to Madam the Regent and repeated the story unto her and they without any form of processe at all did send to seek out this ungracious Woman who did not conceal her self from them for she had turned her shame and her infamy into a glory to be the Mistresse of the house of so reverend and so rich a Man And being nothing dismayed she came without the least alteration of her Countenance to present her self before the Ladies who were so amazed at her Impudence that on the sudden they knew not what to say unto her And after that Madam the Regent had made such Demonstrations to her that they would have fetched tears from the eyes of any Woman that was of a modest understanding she stood before them without the least apprehension at all and with an extreme confidence did say unto them I must beseech you Ladies to take care that my Honour may not be brought into Question for God be praised I have lived with Monseiur the Canon so well and vertuously that there is neither man nor woman living that can reprove me neither ought any one to think but that I live after the will of God for it is now full three years since the Canon hath had any carnal knowledge of me and we do live as chastly and in as great love as two Angels there being not betwixt him and me the least crosse word or contrariety of disposition And they who shall go about to part us shall commit a great sin for the good Man who is almost fourscore years of age will never endure to live without me who am my self five and forty yeers of age You may conceive with your selves that these Ladies could not forbear to speak unto her as she deserved and what were the Remonstrances which every one of them did make unto her seeing her obstinatenesse which could not be molified by the words which they did speak unto her nor by the consideration of her own Age nor by the presence of those honourable personages Wherefore to humble her they did send for the Archdeacon who did condemn her
to ly in prison for the space of a whole year and to feed on nothing but bread and water The Ladies also did send for her Husband who after their good Exhortations was contented to take her again after that her dayes of Penance were expired But she finding her self to be a prisoner and that the Canon was resolved never any more to take her again did thank the Ladies that they had brought the Devil our of her by the head and shoulders and she had so great and perfect a contrition for her faults that her Husband instead of staying the space of a whole your to take her again did demand her of the Archdeacon at the end of fifteen weeks ever afterwards they lived together in great love and friendship You may observe here Ladies how the chains of Saint Peter are by evil persons converted into the chains of Sathan and are so hard to be dissolved that even the Sacraments which do cast forth Devils out of Mens Bodies are by them made the means that they continue longer in their Consciences for the better that things are they are by being abused the occasions of greater Dangers Truly said Oysilla this Woman was too wanton and immoderate in her desires but it was punishment enough to appear before such Judges as the Ladies whom you have named for the look only of the Madam Regent was of that Virtue that there was no honest Woman but was almost afraid to stand before her and conceived her self most unworthy to appear in her presence Those whom she did smile upon did think with themsolves that they did merit some great honour knowing that she would not look upon any with a good will but those only who were virtuous Ladies It had been better said Hircan that she had stood in more fear of the blessed Saâ—â—ament the unworthy receiving whereof without Faith and Love is eternal Damnation than of the eyes of a Woman I promise you said Parlament those who are not inspired with the Grace of God do stand in greater fear of temporal than of spiritual punishments Neverthelesse I do believe that this poor Creature was more chastised by her sufferings in the Prison and by the apprehension that she should never see the Canon more than for any remonstrance that either the Queen or the Lady Regent made unto her But you have forgot said Simontault the principal cause which did induce her to return unto her Husband which was that the Canon was fourscore years of age and that her Husband was younger than she her self was And thus she cunningly took the best advantage of all things and gained in all her Markets for had the Canon been but as young you may be sure she would never have abandoned him The instructions and reproofs of the Ladies would have been no more effectual than the Sacraments which she took In my opinion said Nomerfide howsoever she did well in one thing which was that she did not too hastily confesse her offence which should be confessed unto God alone and she did wisely that she spoke so little and did not reveal her self before all the World for although it be true that she was faulty enough yet should she have lyed and sworn unto the contrary and there were no Man present to have disproved her even those lies and oaths would by some have been believed So it is said Longaren that a Sin unlesse it be with difficulty can never be so concealed but at one time or other it will be discovered except when God doth cover it in those who in their Love to him are repentant for it And what will you think of those said Hircan who have no sooner committed a folly but will presently reveal it to all the World It seemeth to be very strange to me said Longaren and it is a great sign that their Sin was very pleasing to them And as I have told you He whose fins are not covered by the Grace of God cannot deny himself before men and there are many who take pleasure to speak of such things and do make it their glory to publish their vices and others again are so foolish that in thinking to conceal they do accuse themselves They conceal themselves but very untowardly then said Saffredant but I pray you if you can give us any example of it that you will take my place and declare it to us Then listen to my Story said Longaren A Gentlewoman giving an account of her own loves and speaking of it in a third Person did unadvisedly declare her self The second Novell IN the time of King Francis the first there was a Lady of Royal bloud accompanied with Honour Virtue and Beauty and who could deliver her mind very elegantly and with a great Grace and she would also laugh as heartily when she heard any subject worthy of laughter This Lady being in one of her Country houses all her Subjects and Neighbours did come to visit her because she was as well beloved as any Woman possibly could be Amongst others there came unto her one afternoon a Gentlewoman who understood that every one who came unto her did account unto her one pretty story or another to passe away the time wherefore she resolved with her self that she would be found as forward as the rest and said unto her Madam I have a story to declare unto you that will make you laugh but you shall promise me not to declare it unto any immediatly she began to express her self Madam The story which I shall exhibite to you is very true upon my Conscience It is that there was a married Gentlewoman who lived very honestly with her Husband although she was but young and he was very antient A Gentleman that was her Neighbour seeing that she was married to that old Man was very amorous of her and did sollicite her many years together but he never received any other answer from her but such as a wise and virtuous Woman ought to give One day the Gentleman thought with himself that if he could take her at advantage peradventure she would not be so rigorous unto him and having a long time in a great fear debated with himself of the danger he should undergoe to obtain his desires the Love which he did bear unto the Genâ—lewoman did so take away all fear that he resolved with himself to seek out both the place and the occasion He did watch so narrowly that one morning when the antient Man Husband to the young Gentlewoman was gone to some houses that he had in the Country and was departed from his Wife very early in the morning because he would avoid the extreme hear of the Day he came into the House where the young Gentlewoman was whom he sound in bed and fast asleep and observing that all the Chamber-maids were gon out of the Chamber without having the apprehension to make fast the door he made hast into the bed to her with his Boots
promised For as when he was in choler there was no man living that durst assault him so without some great occasion that did provoke him he had rather die himself than commit a murder if his Honour had not constrained him to it In the like manner without an extreme force of Love which begetteth blindnesse in virtuous men he had rather die than defile his marriage bed by a depraved appetite to another which was the cause that his wife did so much respect and love him observing so stayed an honesty to dwell in such a tendernesse of youth And she demanding of him how he could excuse himself seeing that Princes oftentimes are much incensed against those men who do not praise and follow that which they themselves do love he made answer That a wise Man hath always a sicknesse or a Journey in his sleeve to assist himself with at the time of great necessity Wherefore some four or five days before I am to goe I am determined to counterfeit my self to be very sick in which excuse the sadnesse of your countenance will much advantage me Behold said his Wife a good and a holy Hypocrisie I will not fail to put on the saddest and most disconsolate look that possibly I can for they who can avoid the offence of God and the anger of their Prince are said to be happy Creatures Accordingly as they determined they performed and the King was very sad to understand by the Wife the sicknesse of her Husband which lasted but a little for by reason of the intervention of some great affairs the King did forget his pleasure to follow his Duty in the Government of the Kingdom and departed out of Paris And one day afterwards having in his memory the design which was not put in practise did say unto the young Prince What fools were we to go so soon out of Paris without seeing the four Maids who as it was assured me were the fairest in my Kingdom The young Prince being then present made answer I am very glad of it that you did fail for during my sicknesse I had a great fear that I alone should lose my part in the adventure having spoke those words the King did never suspect the dissimulation of the young Signior who afterwards was more beloved by his Wife than he was before Parlament did immediatly begin to laugh and could not forbear from speaking And she might have loved him yet better if he had made this refusal for the love of her alone but in what manner soever it was the Gentleman was commendable enough It seems to me said Hircan it is no great praise for a Man to preserve his Chastity for the love which he doth bear unto his Wife for there are so many reasons for it that in a manner he is constrained to do it First of all God doth command him Secondly his oath doth oblige him And lastly Nature which is satisfied is not so subject either to temptation or desire as is necessity But the free love whish a Man doth bear unto his Mistresse of whom he receiveth no delight at all nor other contentment but to see her and to speak unto her and instead of good words from her doth oftentimes receive a churlish answer when this Love is so loyal and firm that for no adventure whatsoever can arrive it can be changed I say this is Chastity not only praise-worthy but miraculous It is no miracle at all said Oysilla for where the heart doth resolve and devote it self there is nothing impossible to the body Not to the bodies said Hircan which are already angelized I speak not of those said Oysilla who by the Grace of God are altogether transformed into him but of those which we see here on earth amongst Men and if you please but to take notice of them you shall find that those who have devoted all their heart and all their affections to attain unto the perfection of sciences have not only forgotten the pleasure of the flesh but even those things which are most necessary for the sustenance of life as to eat and to drink for so long as the Soul is active within the Body the flesh doth remain as it were insensible And from hence it comes to passe that those who love beautiful and virtuous Ladies do receive such a full contentment of Spirit to behold them and to hear them speak that the flesh is as it were appeased and taken off from all the heat of her desires And those who cannot feel those contentments are sensual and carnal and being overburthened with the weight and frailty of their flesh do not well know whether they have in them a Soul or no. But when the Body is subject to the Spirit it is as it were insensible to the imperfections of the flesh insomuch that the earnest study of the Soul in the strength of contemplation hath rendred Men insensible I have known a Gentleman who to give a demonstration that he hath loved a Lady more than any other hath held his naked fingers in the flame of a Candle his Companions standing by and looking stedfastly on the Lady he not stirring his hand at all did burn his Fingers to the very Bone yet nevertheless affirmed that he was not sensible of any pain In my opinion said Guebron the Devil whose Martyr he was should have made a Saint Laurence of him for there are some in whom the fire of love is so great that they will not fear that which is lesse in violence But if a Lady should have desired me to endure so much for her I should certainly have demanded some great recompense or drawn off my fancy to some other who would have been more merciful to me You would then said Parlament have your own will after that your Mistresse had hers like a Gentleman at Valence in Spain of whom a Commander who was a brave Souldier did not long since give me an account Madam I beseech you said Dagoucin that you will take my place and be pleased to relate it to us for I do presume it is a good story Ladies said Parlaâ— hata according to this Account you ought to look again aâ— again on that which you do refuse and never thnd that time without variation will be always the same but knowing how subject the present time is unto change you would take order for the time to come A Gentleman being disdained for an Husband did take upon him the orders of a Grey Frier by reason whereof his Sweet-heart not long afterwards did undergo the same punishment The fourth Novel IN the City of Valence there was a Gentleman who for the space of five or six years did love a Lady so absolutely that during that time neither the Honour nor the Conscience of either of them was prejudiced for it was his intention to have her to his Wife which seemed to their friends on both sides to be very reasonable for he was very handsome rich
and descended of honourable parentage and did not rashly thrust himself into her service but first of all did acquaint her with it and did understand her intention which was that she gladly did accord that he should be her Husband And this as I have said was carried on by their friends on both sides who having met together for this effect did think very well of the Marriage and the rather because as they thought the young Gentlewoman her self did seem to have a good desire to it But afterwards whether she thought to find a better Husband or to dissemble the Love which she did bear unto him or whether she conceived that the greatest contentment was in a single life the Marriage day was deferred and the Company that were assembled to see the accomplishment thereof were constrained to depart not without a great grief that they could not put a good conclusion to it knowing that the parties on both sides were before so well agreed But above all the poor Gentleman was extremely discontented who had more patiently carried his affliction if he could have found that the fault proceeded from her kinred and not from her self But understanding the truth the knowledge whereof did cause in him a grief as strong almost as death it self without speaking to his Sweet-heart or any one else he did withdraw himself into his own House and having given order for the management of his affairs he did repair into a solitary place where he endeavoured with himself to forget that unprofitable love and did intirely convert it into the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ to which not long afterwards he did altogether oblige himself During this time of his retirement he received not the least news either from the Gentlewoman whom he had loved or from any of her friends wherefore he resolved with himself since he was disappointed of that life which of all others he conceived to be the most happy to choose and take that life upon him which was the most austere and the most unpleasing to him that he could imagine In this sad resolution which may be truly called a despair he did goe to enter himself into a religious house which was a Monastery of the order of Saint Francis It was not far from the place where many of his friends had their habitations who understanding of his despair did the utmost of their indeavours to divert him from his melancholy resolution but they found it to be so strongly grounded in his heart that it was impossible to disswade him from it Neverthelesse understanding from whence the occasion of his Malady did proceed they concluded to look out some redresse and repaired to her who was the original of his sudden Devotion who was possessed with such a sorrow and an amazement at the news thereof thinking that her refusal for a short time would conduce only to give her a more sure experience of his love and not for ever to lose him of which she saw the danger too apparent that she immediatly did send a Letter to him to give him the assurance of her love and to desire him to return to take possession of her heart which was intirely his own This Letter being delivered by one of her friends with all the remonstrances of affection that could possibly be expressed was received and read by the Gentleman Frier with so sad a Countenance and accompanied with so many sighs and tears that it seems he would have both burned it and drowned it at once He gave no other answer to it but desired the Messenger to acquaint the Gentlewoman that the mortifying of his Passion did cost him â—o deer that it had taken from him both the desire to live and the fear to die Wherfore he desired her who was the occasion of it that she would let him injoy a quiet misery and since she would not content him in the passion of his grand desires that she would not torment him now when he was dispossessed of them but content her self with what already she had done for which he could find no other remedy than to choose so sharp a life and a continual penitence which might cause him to forger his sorrow and her unkindnesse and by so many fasts and disciplines so to humble and chastise his Body that the memory of Death only should be his most Soveraign Consolation wherefore above all things he did beseech her that he might hear no more tidings of her for only the remembrance of her Name was a Purgatory insupportable unto him The Gentleman returned with this sad answer and made a report thereof unto her who could not understand it without a grief incredible But Love who would not suffer her heart to fail until the last extremity did put it into her fancy to make a sudden trial if her sight and her words could prevail more upon him than her Letters Wherefore taking her Father and her nearest friends along with her she repaired to the Monastery where he had his residence having first examined all her Boxes and her Glasses for those things which might make her look most beautiful and perswading her self if she could be but admitted to that happinesse as but to see him once and speak unto him it were impossible but the fire which had so long a residence in his heart should grow into a flame as strong as ever In this confidence she entred into the Monastery at the end of Vespers and sent unto the Gentleman desiring him that he would be pleased to give a friend of his a visit in the Chapel within the Cloyster He who did not know who it was that did send for him did make hast to goe unto the greatest and most dangerous battail in which he ever did fight He did look so pale and spiritlesse that she did hardly know him neverthelesse being accompanied with a grace no lesse amiable than before Love did enforce her to stretch forth her Arms thinking to imbrace him but the compassion which she had to see him in that estate did so surround and invade her heart that swouning away she did fall unto the Ground The poor Gentleman who had taken upon him the habit of Religion observing it and being not destitute of Brotherly Charity did raise her up and did bring her to a seat in the Chappel And he himself having no lesse need of succour did dissemble his passion fortifying his heart in the love of God against all the temptations with which she could assault it insomuch that when he beheld her he did seem not to know who it was or what her desires were She having recovered her self from her dyings away did begin a little to hold up her head and did look upon him with such fair and withall such affecting eyes that they were able to make a rock to relent and having made a little pause she did expresse her self unto him in that studdied language which she conceived most effectual to withdraw him
wisedom is pleased with the foolishnesse of Women for although it is true that simplicity is acceptable to him yet I do find in the Scripture that he doth despise the Ignorant and therefore he doth command us to be simple and innocent as Doves but withall to be wise as Serpents For my self said Oysilla I doe not believe her to be ignorant who her knees on the Ground and her Candle lighted in her hand doth make her confession to her Soveraign Lord acknowledging her own vilenesse and that she deserveth nothing but damnation and craving of him repentance pardon and grace and the gift of everlasting life I would to God said Dagoucin that every Woman did understand her self as well as you but I am afraid that several poor Creatures of your Sex have not your intentions Oysilla made answer to him Those who know least how to speak are those who oftentimes have the greatest knowledge of the Love and the Will of God Wherefore we ought not to judge any but our selves Emarsuite laughing said unto her It was no strange thing for her to put a poor Souldier into a fright who was asleep Women of as low condition as her self have put great Princes into as great a fear without putting any fire to their Foreheads I do believe said Dagoucin that you have some story concerning it which you have a desire to relate unto us wherefore if you please take my place My story shall not be long said Emarsuite and if I can represent it to you aright it will not give you an occasion to weep A merry Account which happened to the King and Queen of Navarre The sixth Novel IN that year wherein Monsieur Vendosm did espouse the Princesse of Navarr having at Vendosme feasted the King and the Queen their Father and Mother they departed from thence into Gyen with them and passing by the house of a Gentleman where were many fair and young Ladies they danced so long one afternoon that the Duke of Vendosme and the Princesse being both weary did retire into their Chamber and their cloaths being on they did lie down upon the bed and slept the doors and the Windowes being shut and none of their Servants in the room with them After they had slept about one hour they heard the Door open and the Duke drawing the Curtain did put forth his head to see who it was thinking it was some of his familiar friends who would take him on his Bed with his Princesse But he observed a Chambermaid who seemed to be very old to enter into his Chamber and to come directly towards the Bed but the curtain being drawn she could not discern by reason of the obscurity of the Chamber who they were but seeing two on the Bed lying close to one another she began to cry out O wicked Slut and infamous as thou art I have a long time suspected thee to be such as I find thee now to be but because I had not sufficient proof of it I was loath to acquaint my Lady with it but now I have found out thy villany I am resolved not to conceal it one minute And thou Apostate Villain who hast pulled by thy lust so great a shame upon this house as to undoe that poor Girl that is on the Bed if it were not that I had the fear of God before my eyes I would tear thee to pieces there where thou art Vp and be gone In the Names of all the Devils in Hell Vp and be gone What wil there never be any shame in you Monsieur de Vendosme and Madam the Princesse to listen longer to this discourse did put their faces one as close unto the other as possibly they could that they might not be discovered laughing so heartily that they were not able to speak one word Wherefore the Chambermaid seeing that by her threatnings she could not make them stir nor rise from the Bed did approach more near unto them and was resolved to draw them off either by the head or heels But when she found as well by their Habit as by their Countenances that they were not those whom she suspected and perceived who they were she trembled down upon her knees before them and besought them to pardon the great offence she had committed in disturbing their Rest Monsieur de Vendosme being not contented to know so little did immediatly rise from the bed and did request the old Maid to tell him who they were that she did take them for which she refused to declare but in the end the Duke having sworn unto her that he would not reveal it unto any she did acquaint him that it was a young Gentlewoman in the House of whom a Protonotary was very amorous and whom a long time she had narrowly watched hoping to withdraw her Mistress the Lady of the House from imposing such a Confidence in a Man who would have brought such a dishonour upon her Having spoke those words she departed and made fast the door and left the Prince and Princesse together as she found them where they continued an hour laughing at the accident that had befallen them and although that afterwards they related to divers personages of Honour this Story yet they would never name the persons whom it did concern Ladies you may here observe how a good old Woman thinking to do a piece of Justice did declare that unto strange Princes which none of the same House wherein she lived did once suspect I do believe said Parlament I can tell in what House it was and who was the Protonotary for he hath been of some Authority heretofore in the House of Ladies where when he could not obtain the favour of the Mistress he would not fail to procure the love of some one of her Maids but now he is known to be a man of good parts and of good Reputation Wherefore do you speak said Hircan that he is now known to be a Man of good parts for in that lay the Act for which he did esteem himself to be a man before Parlament made answer to him I do perceive very well that you know both the Disease and the Patient and if there should be need of Excuses you would not fail to be his Advocate Howsoever for my part he should never sail in my Boat who did so ill conduct his own that even the Chambermaids themselves must take notice of what was done Do you think said Nomerfide that Men after they have arrived to the end of their Desires do take care who knows it You may believe that if there were none who either did or could speak of it yet they would make it known of themselves Hircan in choler replyed unto her It is not requisit that Men should speak all that which they know She blushing did make answer You say well for otherwise they might speak something which peradventure would tend but little to their Honour I have often heard you speak said Simontault that
Men take delight to speak Evil of Women and I am confident that you rank me in that number Wherefore believe me I have a great desire to speak well of them that I might not be mistaken by the whole Sex for a Detractor I give you my place said Emarsuite requesting you so much to force your Jnclinations and your Nature as to speak something in our Honour Immediatly Simontault began to say It is no wonder Ladies nor any News at all to hear of your virtuous Deeds which cannot but proceed from the many virtuous personages of your Sex who are accomplished with all perfections Amongst many others there is one Example in my memory which me thinks ought not to be concealed but rather to he recorded in Letters of gold that it might be a president unto Women and an admiration unto Men by beholding that in that frail Sex which is most repugnant unto frailty it is the Occasion which doth cause me to relate what I have heard spoken by Captain Robernall and by divers of his Company The Extreme Love and Austerity of a Woman in a strange Land The seventh Novell RObernall making a Voyage on the Sea to the Isse of Canada being Governour of that Fleet by the Commandment of the King his Master he resolved to continue in the said Iland if the Air of the Country had been healthfull and to build there Towns and Castles In which he made so good a beginning that to be satisfied in the fruitfulness of the place and to inhabite it with Christians he took with him divers sorts of Artists amongst whom there was one so wicked and barbarously cruel that he betrayed his own Master and did bring him in great danger to be taken by the Inhabitants of the Country But it pleased God that his Enterprize was discovered and Captain Robernall received no prejudice at all who commanded the miscinevous Traytor to be apprehended resolving to bring him unto punishment according to his deserts You are to understand that he had contrived the plot with the Inhabitants against the knowledge of his Wife who having followed her Husband thorough the perils of the Sea would not abandon him until death but with her tears and her petitions she so prevailed with the Captain and all the Company that in Compassion of her and in regard of the good services which she had done he did grant her her request but upon a condition that both she and her Husband should be left in a little Iland in the Sea inhabited only by wild Beasts and to take that with them which should be necessary for their sustenance and to defend themselves This wretched Husband and his poor Wife finding themselves alone and in a wilderness of sorrows having none but cruel wild Beasts to keep them company had their recourse unto God alone who had been alwayes the hope and the assurance of that desolate Woman who as one who had all her comfort in him did take along with her for the Instruction and nourishment of her Soul and for all her comfort and her Refuge the New Testament in which incessantly she did read The Extremity of Winter approaching she did take pains with her Husband to build a little House the Lions and other wild Beasts approaching to devour them but her Husband with his Harquebuse and she with great stones did so well defend themselves that not only the Beasts nor the Birds durst adventure to come near them but oftentimes they would kill those which were good to eat and with such flesh and herbs that the Country did bring forth they did live a certain time when their bread failed them But her Husband could not long endure that nourishment and by reason of the abundance of the cold water which he drank he was so blown up with a Dropsie that in a short time he deceased having none to assist him or to comfort him but his Wife who was both his Physician and his Confessor and having given him the best Comforts she could administer he departed with joy from that Desart unto Paradise And the poor Woman being left alone did bury him in the ground not far from her house as well as possibly she could but the Beasts had immediately the sent of him and smelling to the Grave they did digg with their paws to find out and feed upon the Carkass but the poor woman did shoot at them out of her little house and did drive them away with the Harquebuse using her endeavour that the flesh of her Husband might not have such a Sepulcher And thus living with her body the life of a Beast and in her Soul the life of an Angel she passed away her time in reading contemplation and in prayers having a contented and a joyfull spirit in a lean and a consumed body But God who never doth forsake those in their distress who do put their trust in him and who in the greatest despair doth make his mercy and his power to be most remarkable did not permit that the Virtue with which he had indued that Woman should be concealed from Men but that it should be manifested to his glory Wherefore at the end of a certain time one of the shipps belonging to the French Fleet passing before that Iland the people who were above the Decks did observe a Woman waving with her hand her Apron over her head and making a sign unto them whereupon the Master of the ship immediatly called to mind those two whom they had left upon that Iland and determined with himself to goe unto them and to see how God had disposed of them The poor Woman seeing the ship to make up unto her and to draw near unto the shore did come down into the Beach where they took her in and departed Having praised God for her unexpected preservation she shewed them where her little house did stand in the Iland and did inform them what was her miserable Diet during the time of her melancholy abode there which had been altogether incredible to the Seamen but that they knew that God is as able to nourish his People in the Wildernesse as with the best Diet in the greatest Palace of the World And when on their return they had caused the fidelity and the perseverance of the said Woman to be made known both in the City and at the Court she was received with great Honour by all the Ladies who of their own accord did send their Children to her to teach them to work with the Needle and to Read and Write And by that honest indeavour she gained sufficiently wherewith to live all the remainder of her life having no other desire but to exhort every one to the love of God and to a safe considence in him propounding for an example the great Mercy which he had vouchsafed unto her Ladies you cannot now deny but that I have abundantly extolled those virtues with which God hath indued you which are so much the greater
she had poysoned him and was very importunate to know of her what she had put in his Roastmeat She confessed the truth unto him and withall assured him that she had as much need of that Receipt as the Wife of his Companion The poor Apothecary could not beat her for the wrong she had done him he was at that time in so great an extremity but commanded her to goe out of his sight and sent for the Apothecary of the Queen of Navarr to desire him that he would take the pains to give him a visit who gave him all the cooling Receits that were effectual for his recovery In a short time he was well mended and the Queens Apothecary did reprehend him very sharply for his rashnesse that he was so unwise to counsel another to take those druggs which he would not use himself and that the good Woman his Wife had done no more than what she ought to doe especially seeing the great desire which she had to make him love her Whereupon the poor Man was inforced to overcome his folly with patience and to acknowledge that God justly punished him to make that mockery fall upon himself which he had prepared for another Ladies in my Judgement the Love of this Wife was as indiscreet as it was great Do you call that said Hircan Love to her Husband to make him suffer torment in a fond hope that she might receive some pleasure from him I do believe said Longaren that she had no other intention than to recover her Husbands love which she conceived if not to be altogether lost yet certainly to be gone astray for to obtain such a Commodity there is nothing which Women will refuse to do So it is said Guebron that whatsoever the occasion be a Woman ought not to give any thing unto her Husband either to eat or to drink which she knows not as well by her own experience as friends of good judgement whether it be hurtful or no But Ignorance ought to be excused and this Woman is excusable both for the passion which of all is most blinding that is Love and for the person most blinded which is a Woman who hath seldome judgement enough to mannage with discretion any great Act. Guebron said Oysilla you do not now follow your commendable custom which is to render your self agreeable to your Companions for I am confident there are Women who have patiently endured both love and jealousie which is an Act difficult enough Yes said Hircan and pleasantly too for those Women who are most wise do take as much pleasure to laugh at the follies of their Husbands as their Husbands take pleasure secretly to deceive them And if you will give me the place before that Madam Oysilla shall put a period to this days Account I will relate a story to you and done so lately that there is not one here present who doth not know both the Husband and the Wife Begin then said Nomerfide Hircan laughing said unto them An Italian suffered himself to be cajoled by his Chambermaid who caused that instead of her Servant her Mistresse should take her Husband bolting The ninth Novel IN the Castle of Doz in Bigorre there dwelled a Servant of the Kings who was called Charles the Italian who had espoused a virtuous woman and of a good Estate who having brought him many Children did grow old and he was none of the youngest himself and lived with her in great peace and love It is true enough that sometimes he would talk familiarly unto his Chambermaids at which the good woman would not put on the least apparence of discontent but gave them all the scope they could desire when she knew them to be most privat together in the house One day she hired a Servant who was a wise and a handsom Girl to whom she related the complexion and disposition of her Husband and her own and assured her that if shee were a Slut her Husband would never endure her but turn her out of doors immediatly The Chambermaid therefore to continue in a good esteem in the service of her Mistresse did resolve with her self to follow her businesse roundly and to be neat and carefull and to give no ear to the allurements of her Master who though oftentimes he did hold her in Discourse and inticed her unto wantonnesse yet she would make no reckoning of him but would acquaint her Mistresse with all his flatteries and promises As they passed away their time in the Legend of his follies one day this Chambermaid bolted in the back Chamber having on her head a long hood after the fashion of that Country which is made like a Kerchief but only that this covereth the shoulders and all the body behind Her Master seeing her in this habit did come unto her and sollicited her with much importunity but she who would rather die than give consent unto him did make an apparence to yield to his desires and demanded leave to go first forth and see if her Mistresse were busie about any thing to the end that they might not be both surprized which her Master did agree unto and she besought him in her absence to put her Hood on his head and to bolt that her Mistress might alwayes hear the noise of the Bolter This joyfully he performed hoping to enjoy that which he demanded The Chamber-maid who was not of a melancholike humour did run unto her Mistresse and said unto her Come and see your good Husband whom I have taught to bolt to acquit my self of him His Wife made all the hast she could to behold this new Chamber-maid and seeing the long Hood on her Husbands head and the Bolter in his hands she did begin to laugh so heartily and so to clap her hands that she had much to do to speak unto him In good time Honest Maid What wages shall I give you a moneth for your good service The Husband hearing the voice of his Wife and finding he was betrayed did throw on the ground that which he carried on his head and what he held in his hands to run after the Chambermaid calling her Whore a thousand times And if his Wife had not interposed her self and skreened betwixt his passion and the Chamber-maids honest mirth he had payed her with his cudgel But she appeased him to the content of every one and after that time they lived together without the least complaint Ladies What think you of this good woman Did she not do wisely to pass away her time in mirth at the pastimes of her Husband It was no pastime to her Husband said Saffredant to have failed in his Enterprize I do believe said Emarsuite that he took more pleasure to laugh afterwards with his Wife than being threescore years of age to play the wanton with his Chamber-maid It would have been no little perplexity to me said Simontault to be taken by my Wife with such a Kerchief on my head I have heard it spoken
said Parlament that many years are not passed since your Wife was very like to have taken you in almost such another habiliment how strange soever you do seem to make of it and that she hath lived a discontented life ever since Content your self with the fortunes of your own house said Simontault without taking thanklesse pains in seeking after mine Howsoever I dare assure you that my Wife hath no cause at all to complain of me and although I were such as you report me to be yet she could never have the means to perceive it by reason of the numerous urgency of so many businesses which do take up all her imployment Women of Honour such as she is said Longaren do need no other business nor desire any other thing but only the love of their Husbands which only can content them but they who seek after a Bestial contentment will never find it where Honesty doth command them Do you said Simontault call it Bestial contentment for a woman to desire that of her Husband which doth belong unto her Longaren made answer to him I will maintain that a chast woman having her heart filled with true Love is more satisfied by being intirely beloved than with all the pleasures that the body can desire I am of your opinion said Dagoucin though the Gallants that be here present will neither understand it nor confesse it for I do verily believe that if a reciprocal love doth not content a woman one Musband will never content her for not living according to the honest love of women she must be possessed with the insatiable desires of a Beast Truly said Oysilla you do put me in mind of a great Lady and most honourably married who not living in that honest love became more sensual than Swine and more outragious than Lions I must intreat you Madam said Saffredant to put an end to the Accounts of this Day that you will relate unto us the the Story of it I cannot do it said Oysilla for two reasons the first by reason of the great length of it and the other because it is not of our time although it hath been recited by a very credible Author And we have sworn to one another to insert nothing into these Novels which hath been written by others It is true said Parlament and I do believe that I have read it but because it hath been written in old French and so long agoe that I am almost confident that neither Man nor Woman here present besides us two have ever seen it or heard it spoken of it may well passe for a Novelty On that assurance all the Company did intreat her to relate it without any respect to the length thereof because they might yet continue where they were a full hour before that Vespers did begin Oysilla therefore at their request did thus begin The Excellent History of the outragious incontinence of a Dutchesse which was the occasion of her death as also of the Deaths of two perfect Lovers The tenth Novel IN the Dutchy of Burgundy there lived a Duke who was a most courteous and a most gallant Prince and was espoused to a Lady whole beauty so highly did content him that he seemed almost to forget the greatnesse of his condition out of a tender regard to please her only which affection to outward appearance she did reciprocally return There was in the Dukes Palace a young Gentleman accomplished with all the perfections that could be desired in a Man He was generally beloved by all but especially by the Duke who had brought him up from his Infancy to attend upon him next unto his Person and seeing him so well conditioned he did love him most intirely and gave him the charge of all those affairs which his age was of a capacity to manage The Dutchesse who had not the heart of a Woman nor of a virtuous Princesse did not content her self with the love which the Duke her Husband did bear unto her nor with the good use which she received from him but oftentimes with too friendly an eye did look upon this Gentleman whom she found so agreeable unto her fancy that she loved him beyond all reason and a great trouble it was unto her to discover her affection to him which every minute she endeavoured to do but for all the temptation of her smiles for all her sighes and passionate regards he did not seem to understand her for the young Gentleman who altogether studyed Virtue in whose School he was brought up did not apprehend the vice of that Lady which she had so small an occasion to put in practise insomuch that the glances and allurements of this foolish Lady did bring unto her no other fruit but a furious Despair And this Despair did one day so overcome her that forgetting her Sex and that she was a Woman who ought to be intreated and to refuse the Intreaty a Princesse that ought to be adored and to disdain her Idolaters she assumed the boldnesse of a transported Woman to discharge that passion which was insupportable For her Husband being gone to his Council who were assembled for the management of the great affairs of State at which this Gentleman by reason of the inexperience of his Youth was not permitted to assist she made a sign unto him that he should come unto her which he did thinking she had some businesse wherein to imploy his service but she leaning on his Arm as a Lady weary of too much ease did take him aside by himself to walk with her alone in the Gallery where she said unto him I do much wonder at you that being so young so lovely and full of all Graces and withall being brought up and living in my Court where are so fair a number of young Ladies that yet you have never been in love nor a servant to any of them And looking on him with the most gracious eye that possibly she could she held her peace to give him leave to answer Madam said he If I were worthy that your Highnesse could vouchsafe to descend so low as to look on me it would be no occasion of wonder in you to observe a man so unworthy as my self to present his service to a Lady and to receive nothing but the disgrace of a repulse The Dutchesse hearing his wise reply did love him better than before and did swear unto him that there was not a Lady in her Court that should not think her self too much honoured in such a Servant and assured him that he might well make a tryal of it for without all question it would fall out unto his honour The young Gentleman all this while did hold his eyes down towards the Ground not daring to behold her looks which carried with them heat enough to make the Ice to melt As he was about to excuse himself the Duke sent for the Dutchesse to the Council Table about some businesse which did concern her whither she did go
in obedience to his Commands but she was very sorry that she was inforced to lose the opportunity to follow the Cause which she had so well begun to lay open But the Gentleman seemed not to understand one word what she had said unto him whereat she was so perplexed and troubled that she knew not to what to impute the cause of her affliction but only to the sottish fear with which she found the Gentleman to be too much abused Not long afterwards observing with her self that the Gentleman was so dull that he would not understand her language she resolved to regard neither fear not shame but plainly to declare her mind unto him assuring her self That a beauty so powerfull as her own could not but be well entertained but she desired rather to have had the honour to be entreatted by him neverthelesse so violent was her love that she laid her Honour aside to satisfie her pleasure And having tempted him diverse ways to work him up to her own height and to find his defires answerable to her own finding no answer from him that promised the least hope she took him one day by the steeve and said unto him that she had a businesse or great privacy and importance to declare unto him The Gentleman with such reverence and humility as was due unto her did goe along with her into a deep by Window to which place she had called him And looking about her when she found that none of her Chamber could descry her she began with a trembling voice betwixt Desire and Fear to continue unto him the subject of her first discourse reproving him that he had not yet made choice of any Lady in her Court assuring him that whatsoever she was and in whatsoever degree she would assist him in the obtaining of her favour The Gentleman being as much amazed as tormented with the importunities of the Dutchesse did make answer to her Madam I have so stour a heart that if I were once refused of any I should never again enjoy my self in this World and I am so inconsiderable a thing that there is not a Lady in your Court but scorns to accept of my service The Dutchesse blushing and thinking that she had pressed him so much upon it that he was half overcome did swear unto him that if he thought well of it she knew that the greatest Lady of the Court none excepted would entertain him with great joy and that he should receive an absolute contentment by it Alas Madam said he It cannot be that any Lady in your Court should be so unfortunately blinded as to accept me to be her Servant The Dutchesse perceiving that he would not apprehend her did begin in some manner to discover her passion to him and by reason of the fear she had of the virtue of the Gentleman she did speak unto him by the way of interrogation and said If Fortune had so much favoured you that it was I my self that do bear this great good will unto you what will you say The Gentleman who thought he dreamed and that such a word could not proceed from the Dutchesse did speak unto her with his knees upon the Ground Madam since God hath given me the grace to have had your favour and the favour of the Duke my Master I doe conceive my self to be the most happy man in the World for it was the recompense which I desired for my faithful service as being obliged more than any other to lose my life for the service of either of you being confident Madam that the love which you do bear to my Lord the Duke is accompanied with such a Chastity and greatnesse that not only my self who am but a Worm of the Earth but the greatest Prince and the most excellent man that can be found in the World can never infringe the Union betwixt the Duke my Master and your self And for my self he hath brought me up from my Infancy and made me to be such as I am Wherefore he hath neither Wife nor Daughter nor Sister nor Mother for whom I would not rather die than nourish a thought which shall misbecome a loyal and a faithful Servant The Dutchesse would not permit him to passe any further but finding that she was in danger to receive from him a dishonourable denyal she did suddenly break off this discourse and said unto him O obstinate and glorious Fool who is she who doth intreat thee You think by reason of your beauty to be beloved by flies in the Air but if you had been so presumptuous to have addressed your self to me I should have made it apparent to you that I neither doe nor can love you nor will love any other but my Husband And the discourse which often times I have had with you hath served me only to passe away my time and to dive into your thoughts to make my self merry with them as I use to do with foolish Lovers Madam said the Gentleman I both did and do believe the words you speak She without hearing any word more did immediately repair into her Chamber and observing that she was attended with many Ladies she entred into her Cabinet and made so great a lamentation that it cannot well be represented for on the one side the disappointment in her love did bring upon her a mortal Grief and on the other the Indignation and Despite against her self to have motioned so fond an enterprise to him who so wisely answered her Importunities did put her into such a fury that sometimes she was resolved to commit a murder upon her self sometimes again she would live to be revenged on him whom she held to be her most mortal Enemy After she had a long time wept by her self she counterfeited her self to be sick because she would not be at Supper with the Duke at which the Gentleman did ordinarily serve The Duke who loved his Wife better than he loved himself did go to visit her But she the better to arrive unto the end at which she aimed did say unto him that she was great with Child which caused a rheum to fall upon her eyes and did put her to great pain In this manner there passed three or four dayes wherein the Dutchesse kept her bed so sad and melancholy that the Duke conceived that something else besides her great Belly was the occasion of her sicknesse which caused him the fourth night to come to bed unto her that he might better be informed of the nature of her Disease wherefore making as much of her as possibly he could and perceiving that she continually did sigh he said unto her Sweet-heart You know that I do bear so much love unto you as I do to the preservation of my own life and that if your life should fail mine could not long continue Wherefore if you will improve my health and recover your own tell me I pray you what is the Cause which doth make you so much to sigh
perceiving the Gentleman to continue still in the service of the Duke as he was accustomed to do could not endure it with patience but said unto her Husband It would be no great matter Sir if you were poysoned because you have more confidence in your mortal Enemies than in your friends He replyed Sweet-heart Torment not your self concerning that affair for if I can find that to be true which you have spoken I do assure you that he shall not be alive four and twenty hours but he hath sworn so much unto me to the contrary and I my self besides could never perceive any thing by him that without great proof I cannot believe any thing unto the contrary In good truth Sir said she the goodnesse of your Nature doth render his Iniquity the greater Would you have a greater proof than to see a Man of his Condition to professe love and to make no noise thereof You may believe Sir that amongst so many Ladies in my Court so young a Fellow as he is would have found out a Mistresse for himself were it not for the high Enterprize that doth altogether take up his fancy to be a servant unto me for there was never any young Man that lived in such a Court as yours so solitary as this young Man neither would he be so if he had not his heart fixed in so high a place that he did content himself only with some vain hope and because you do entertain a belief that he doth conceal nothing from you I must beseech you to put him to his Oath to know if he be in love with any one or no. For if he be in love with any other I am content that you doe believe him if not you may assure your self that I do speak the Truth The Duke did much approve the reasons of his Lady and walking into the fields did take the Gentleman along with him to whom he said My Wife doth still continue in her opinion and doth allege unto me such reason for it that it doth cause in me a great suspition against you which is she wonders much that you being so young and affable were never yet in love as much as can be known which makes me to conceive that you nourish that ambitious love of which she doth accuse you the hope whereof doth render you so contented and doth fill you with so vain a joy that you cannot think of any other woman wherfore I do intreat you as a Friend and command you as your Master to tell me plainly if you are or ever have been in love or no. The poor Gentleman although he would have delayed to give an answer to this unexpected Interrogatory and would have excused his affection which that no other might find it out he had laid up in the very center of his heart was now constrained to satisfie the great Jealousie of the Duke his Master to swear unto him That it is true enough that he was in love with a Lady whose perfection was such that the beauty of the Dutchesse and of all the Ladies in her Court was but foulnesse and deformity unto her but he did beseech him that he may not be inforced to give unto him her Name for the obligation betwixt him and his Sweet-heart was such that who first of them did declare their love should absolutely dissolve it The Duke did promise that he would presse him no more unto it and was as much contented with the satisfaction which he had given him that he did countenance and advance him more than before which the Dutchesse did very well observe and finding there was more than an accustomed privacy betwixt the Duke her Husband and the Gentleman she did use her utmost indeavour to understand the occasion of it which the Duke could not be perswaded to reveal unto her whereupon her fruitful vengeance did beget another jealousie and she besought the Duke to command the Gentleman to impart unto him the name of that Sweet-heart of his assuring him that it was a meer invention and the best way he could contrive to gain credit to his words but if he would not name who it was whom he esteemed to be so beautiful he was the most foolish Prince in the World if he did believe what he professed The poor Duke whose opinion his Wife turned now on this side and now on that as she her self pleased did take the poor Gentleman to walk the other turn with him in the Fields again where he told him that he was in a far greater perplexity than before for he much doubted that he made him but an excuse to keep him off from finding out the truth which did torment him more than ever Therefore like a Prince he mingled his Authorities with his intreaties and did desire command him to declare unto him who it was whom so much he loved The poor Gentleman did beseech him that he would be mindful of his promise and not inforce him to commit so great fault against her whom so intirely he affected as now to break his promise which for a long time he had so faithfully observed and to lose in one minute that secrecy which for seven years and more he had kept locked up in a religious safety affirming that he had rather suffer death than do such a wrong to her who was so faithful unto him The Duke perceiving he would not acquaint him who it was did enter into so strong a jealousie that with a furious countenance he did say unto him Take your choice of two things either plainly to tell me who it is whom you doe love above all the World or to depart presently into banishment out of the lands of my Authority upon this penalty that if I find you here eight days after this I will undoubtedly put you to some cruel death If ever grief did possesse the heart of a loyal Servant it now did seize upon the heart of this Gentleman who might well say Angustiae sunt mihi Vndique for finding on the one side that if he should speak the truth he should lose his Mistresse if it should come unto her knowledge because he had failed in his promise and on the other side if he should not confesse it he should be banished from the Country in which he was brought up and where his Mistresse lived and never should have the means to see her again he was so oppressed with sorrow that a cold sweat did seize upon him as it doth on one who overcome by the extremity of grief doth find the last minute of his life approaching The Duke looking upon him and perceiving how much his countenance did change did Judge whatsoever he pretended to the contrary that he had no other Mistresse but only his Wife which was the reason because on the sudden he could not think on the name of any other he did endure that passion Wherefore he did speak very churlishly unto him If that which you have represented
to me were true you would not find such a difficulty in it as to declare unto me her name but I believe the guilt of your offence doth secretly torment you The Gentleman being much provoked with these words and inforced also by the love which he did bear unto the Duke did determin with himself to speak the truth being consident that his Master was a Man so full of Virtue that he would not for any thing reveal the secret Wherefore kneeling down before him with hands joyned which he did lift up unto him he said Sir The obligation which I do bear unto you is such that it doth prevail upon me more than any fear of Death for I doe see you deluded by such a fancy and false opinion of me that I am determined to confesse that which no torment could draw from me beseeching you for the honour of God to swear unto me upon the faith of a Prince and of a Christian that you will never reveal the secret which since you are so pleased I am constrained to speak unto you The Duke immediately by all the Oathes that he could devise did oblige himself unto him that he would never discover the least notion thereof to any Creature in the world neither by word deed nor countenance The Gentleman holding himself assured on the multiplyed Oathes of so virtuous a Prince did begin to lay the foundation of his misfortune to come in confessing to him Sir It is now seven years since having known your Niece to be a Widdow I have endeavoured to obtain her favour And because I was not of a birth great enough to espouse her I was contented that she was pleased to acknowledge me for her Servant And God hath hitherto permitted that our Love hath been so wisely managed that neither Man or Woman but only She and my self hath known any thing of it unlesse it be You into whose hands I do commit my Life and Honour beseeching you that you would keep it private and to have Madam your Niece in no lesse esteem than heretofore for I do believe that under Heaven there is not a more accomplished or a chaster Creature Who was a glad Man now It was the Duke for knowing the incomparable Beauty of his Niece he did not doubt but that she was more agreeable to him than his Wife but being not able to collect how so great a Mystery could be carryed without a Second he did intreat him to acquaint him how he could come to the sight of her The Gentleman thereupon did declare unto him That the Chamber of his Niece did butt forth into the Garden and on that night when he was to wait upon her the little door of the Garden was left open through which he came and walked on foot until he heard a little Dogg bark which the young Lady his Niece had left on purpose in the Garden when all her Women were gone out of it and that on the barking of that Dogg being presently admitted he had the happinesse to discourse with her all that night and at parting they would agree upon the night when he was to return again wherein without making any dilatory excuses they would never fail to meet The Duke who was the most curious Man in the World and who in his Youth knew wisely enough how to carry his Loves as well to satisfie his suspition as to understand the particulars of so strange a story did intreat him to take him along with him the next time that he did addresse himself unto her and to give him then not the respects of a Master but of a Companion The Gentleman seeing the Duke did so presse him did accord unto it of which the Duke was more glad than if he had gained a Kingdom and dissembling that he would he for a hight or two in his Wardrobe did cause two horses to be made ready the one for himself and the other for the Gentleman and they travelled far that evening to arrive at his Nieces house The Gentleman caused the Duke to enter into the Garden at the little Door and desired him that entring into the house he would be pleased to stay behind the skreen where he might perceive if he had spoke the truth unto him or nor They were no sooner entred into the Garden but immediatly a little Dogg did bark and the Gentleman did go directly towards the house and the young Lady did not fail to meet him in the way and having saluted and unbraced him she said unto him That she was afraid he had been sick it was so long since she last saw him and speaking those words they entred into the House and the Duke privatly did follow them in the dark for there was no light in the Room and understanding the whole Discourse of their chast love he was satisfied beyond his desires and made no long stay there for the Gentleman told the Lady that he was constrained to return sooner than he was accustomed to do because that morning the Duke did intend very early to go on hunting and of necessity he must attend upon him The Lady who loved honour more than pleasure would not stay him for the greatest thing which she esteemed in her chast and honest love was that it was kept secret from the observation of the World Much about one of the clock in the morning the Gentleman departed and the Duke undiscovered by the young Lady did goe out before him and they took horse and returned from whence they came and oftentimes in the way the Duke did swear unto the Gentleman that he had rather die a thousand times than reveal the Mystery of his Love and he afterwards did so much respect him and did put such a confidence in him that there was none in all the Court that was in greater favour The Dutchesse was much incensed at it and continued her complaints against the Gentleman But the Duke did forbid her to speak any more unto him concerning that Subject for he was throughly satisfied with the truth thereof and said that he was so contented thereat that he did believe the Lady whom he loved was more amiable than her self That word did leave such an impression and did so deeply wound her heart that she fell into a malady greater than before The Duke did dayly resort unto her to visit her and to comfort her but it was impossible unlesse he would disclose unto her who that Lady was who was so much beloved And she so much importuned him to know who it was that the Duke going out of the Chamber did say unto her if you will not let me be at quiet I must depart from you Those words did increase the malady of the Dutchesse who pretended that she did feel her child to stir within her at which the Duke was so glad that to manifest his love and joy he did goe to bed to her And making use of that minute in which she found him most
amorous of her she turned from him to the other side and said unto him Sir since you bear no love to me nor to the Infant with which I goe let us perish both together And with those words she poured forth such an abundance of toars and made such a lamentation that the Duke was much afraid that she would lose the fruit of her Womb. Wherefore taking her in his Arms he desired her to acquaint him with what she did desire and assured her that he would conceal nothing from her Ah Sir said she and sobbed as she spake what hope have I that you will doe any thing for me that is difficult when you deny me the most easie and the most reasonable request in the World which is to tell me who is the Sweet-heart of the most ungrateful Servant you ever had I did once believe that you and I had but one heart But now I find that you doe use me as a stranger for those secrets which ought to be revealed unto me are by you concealed and kept from me as if I were your greatest Enemy Call Sir to mind how many secrets and businesses of the greatest importances have you imparted to me and which of them have you ever understood that I have disclosed You have made so great an experience of my good will equal unto yours that you ought not mistrust me for I am more yours than my own And if peradventure you have taken an Oath that you will not reveal the secret of the Gentleman to any in acquainting me with it you cannot break your Oath for I neither am nor can be any other than your self I have you in my heart I do hold you in my arms I carry your Infant in my womb in whom you live again and yet I cannot enjoy your love as you have mine but the more loyal and faithful I am to you the more cruel and perverse you are to me that a thousand times a day I do desire by a sudden Death to deliver your Infant from such a Father and my self from such a Husband which I hope shortly to perform because I do find that you prefer an unfaithful Servant before your Wife and such a Wife as I am to you and before the life of a Mother and to the fruit of her womb which is so little regarded by you being not able to obtain that of you which I desire to know Speaking those words she imbraced and kissed her Husband wetting his face with her tears and breathed forth such sighes that the poor Prince who was afraid to lose his Wife and his Child at once did determine with himself to acquaint her with the truth but withall he did swear unto her That if she revealed it to any creature in the world she should be sure to die and by no other hand but his own To which she condiscended and accepted of the punishment Whereupon the poor deceived Husband did account unto her all that he had seen from the beginning to the end whereat she seemed to be very much contented although her heart was surprized with an intolerable anguish Neverthelesse for fear of the Duke she did dissemble her passion as well as possibly she could Not long after the Duke made a great Feast at his Court to which he invited all the Ladies of the Countrey and amongst others his Niece where Dinner being ended Dancing did begin and every Lady did endeavour to set forth her self in the best manner that she could but the Dutchess who was tormented to behold the great beauty and the gracefulnesse of her Niece could take no Delight an all much lesse could she forbear from making her spitefull fury to appear For after that Dancing was ended having called all the Ladies together she caused them to sit down near unto her and did begin to Discourse unto them concerning the Affairs of Love And observing that her Niece was silent and did speak nothing at all she said unto her with a heart inflamed with Jealousie And you my fair Niece Is it possible that your Beauty can be without either Friend or Servant Madam she replyed My Beauty looks not after such a purchase for since the Death of my Husband I desire no other Sweet-hearts but only his children with which I am well contented Fair Niece Fair Niece the Dutchesse replyed to her in an extreme Indignation Fair Niece Fair Niece There is no Love so secret but may be discovered nor little Doggs so well taught and brought up to the hand whose Barking may not be understood Ladies I leave it to you to imagine how great a sorrow on those words surprized the heart of the poor young Lady finding a thing that had been kept so close to be so openly declared to her Dishonour Her Honor so carefully guarded and so unfortunately lost did greatly torment her but most of all did the strong suspition she entertained that her Friend had failed in his promise which she thought he never would have done unlesse for the Love of some Lady more beautifull than her self to whom the extremity of his Love did foolishly perswade to declare this effect Her Virtue neverthelesse was so great that for all this apprehension she made no apparence of discontent and smiling did make answer that she did not understand the language of Beasts and in this wise dissimulation her heart was so overburthened with sorrow that she was constrained to rise up and passing by the Chamber of the Dutchesse she entred into a Wardrop where the Duke walking in the Gallery did behold her to goe in When the poor Lady thought she was in a place where none could either soe or hear her she did throw her self upon the bed with so great a violence that a damosel who was sat in a corner of the room to sleep was awakened at it and did rise up to see who it might be But finding it was the Niece of the Duke who thought she had been alone she durst not speak unto her but gently listned to the complaint she made The poor Lady with a voice half dead did begin in these words to lament her self O unfortunate that I am What are the words which I have heard what an arrest of death have I understood by them What a sentence to condemn me have I received O thou the most beloved that ever was Is this the reward of my chastity and of my honest and virtuous love O my heart why didst thou make so dangerous a choice to take for the most loyal the most unfaithful for the most honest the most crafty for the most secret the loudest Detractor in the World Wo is me Is it possible that a thing hid from the Eyes of all Men should be revealed to Madam the Dutchesse Alas poor little Dog the only means of my long and virtuous love it is not thou that hast discovered me but he who hath a voice more barking than a Dog and a heart more ungrateful than
Queen gave unto their Marriage with the wise answer of the young Lady to the Queen Nov. 1. f. 174. A Frier a great Reformer of the times under the shaddow of Religion did use all temptations and endeavours to seduce a fair Nun and his deceits at last were discovered Nov. 2. f. 198. Three Murders committed in one house on the persons of the Lord the Lady and their Child by the wickednesse of a Frier Nov. 3. f. 212. The gentile Invention of a Gentleman to manifest his love to the Queen of Spain and what insued thereupon Nov. 4. f. 221. The subtile Invention of a great Prince to delight himself with the fair Wife of 〈…〉 vocate of Paris Nov. 5. f. 230. The pleasant discourse of a great Lord to play the wanton with a Lady of Pampelona Nov. 6. f. 236. The rashness of a foolish Secretary who sollicited to Lust the Wife of his Companion by which he received great Disgrace Nov. 7. f. 254. A Secretary thought to cozâ—en one who cozened him and what was the event thereof Nov. 8. f. 257. A Labourer of the Village whose Wife was too familiar with the Curate did permit himself to be easily deceived Nov. 9. f. 261. The wonderfull Example of humane Frailty in a Lady who to conceal her honour did fall from one Evil into a greater Nov. 10. f. 264. The Fourth Journal The Execrable cruelty of a Frier to enjoy his detestable Lust and the punishment which he justly suffered Nov. 1. f. 272. The punishment more cruel than Death commanded by a Husband to be inflicted on his Wife whom he had taken in adultery Nov. 2. f. 279. The abomination of an Incestuous Priest who under the pretence of a holy life did impregnat his own Sister and the blasphemies that were contrived to conceal their sin and the punishment which ensued thereupon Nov. 3. f. 285. Two Friers too curious to listen to what did not belong unto them were struck into so great a fear that they thought they should have dyed Nov. 4. f. 290. The happy Industry which a wise Husband used to divert the love which his Wife did bear unto a Frier Nov. 5. f. 295. A President of Grenoble being advertised of the dissolute Inclinations of his Wife did provide such a remedy that his honor was not interested and he himself revenged Nov. 6. f. 305. The wisdom of a Wife to withdraw her Husband from a fond Love which did torment him Nov. 7. f. 311. The memorable Charity of a Woman of Tours to her Husband taken in Incontinence Nov. 8. f. 316. A good Invention to drive away an Evil Spirit Nov. 9. f. 318. A Lord caused his Brother-in-law to be killed not knowing the allyance Nov. 10. f. 322. The Fifth Journal The strange and new penance given by a Frier Confessor to a young Lady N. 1. f. 331. The Continence of a young Gentlewoman against the obstinate and amorous sute of one of the greatest Lords in France and the happy success which the young Gentlewoman obtained Nov. 2. f. 335. The Hypocrisie of a Lady at Court was discovered by the ill Carriage of her Love which she thought to have concealed Nov. 3. f. 346. Two Lovers who closely did enjoy their loves and the happy issue that did attend them Nov. 4. f. 357. A Husband pretending to chastise his Chambermaid deceived the simplicity of his Wife Nov. 5. f. 365. A Frier who in his Sermon made it a great crime for Men to beat their Wives Nov. 6. f. 371. A Gentleman of Percha wrongfully suspecting the love of his Friend to his Wife did provoke him to put in practise the Cause of his suspition Nov. 7. f. 373. Two Friers on the first night of a marriage did one after another usurp the place of the Bridegoom for which they were soundly punished Nov. 8. f. 360. The subtilty and incontinence of a Countesse to have secretly her pleasure from several Gentlemen and how she was discovered Nov. 9. f. 383. A Gentleman being newly let blood did too familiarly and excessively enjoy his Mistress which was the occasion of his death and of hers also Nov. 10. f. 390. The Sixth days Journal The persidiousnesse and great cruelty of an Italian Duke Nov. 1. f. 395. The nasty Breakfast prepared by an Apothecaries Boy for an Advocate and a Gentleman Nov. 2. f. 400 The personal diligence of a Prince to divert the affections of an importunate Lover Nov. 3. f. 405. A Gentlewoman of so good a disposition that seeing her Husband to kisse her Chambermaid did nothing else but laugh and would never give any other reason but that only she laughed at his shadow Nov. 4. f. 414. The Cunning of a Spanish Woman to defraud the Friers of the last Testament of her Husband Nov. 5. f. 417. A Frier Fraudulently married another Frier who was his Companion to a young Gentlewoman for which they were both punished Nov. 6. f. 420. A ridiculous Account of my Lord who did wear a Ladies Glove on his Habiliments Nov. 7. f. 427. A Lady of the Court did pleasantly revenge her self of a Gentleman who did bear love unto her Nov. 8. f. 431. A Gentleman thinking in private to kisse one of the Chamhermaids of his Wife was discovered and surprized by her Nov. 9. f. 435. A Citizens Wife of Paris did forsake her Husband a rich Merchant to follow a Chanter and â—â—unterfeiting her self dead she caused herself to be buried Nov. 10. f. 442. The Seventh Journal The wonderful and most uncontroul'd affection of a bold but beautiful Burgundian Gentlewoman to a Canon of Autun Nov. 1. f. 449. A Gentlewoman repeating an Account of her own loves speaking in the third person did by misregard declare her self Nov. 2. f. 458. The notable Chastity of a great Lord in France Nov. 3. f. 461. A Gentleman being disdained by a Gentlewoman to be her Husband did turn Frier and put on the habit of Religion for which she afterwards repenting did put on the Habit of a Nun Nov. 4. f. 466. The simplicity of an old Woman who presented a burning Candle of Wax to Saint John of Lyons and did stick it on the brow of a Souldier as he was sleeping at the Sepulcher and what was the issue that did attend it Nov. 5. f. 472. A ridiculous Account that happened to the King and Queen of Navarr Nov. 6. f. 474. The extreme love and severity of life of a French woman in a Forein land Nov. 7. f. 477. A Woman made her Husband to eat Cantharides to receive from him due and desired benevolence by which he thought he should have dyed Nov. 8. f. 482. An Italian suffered himself to be cozened by his Chambermaid who caused his Wife to find him bolting in a Womans habit instead of a Maid Nov. 9. f. 486. The excellent History and the relation of the Incontinence of a Dutchesse which was the cause of her death and of the death of two most absolute Lovers Nov. 10. f. 489. The eighth Journal A Woman at the point of death seeing her Husband to kisse ber Chambermaid did grow so extremely passionate that it was the sudden cause of her recovery Nov. 1. f. 520. The continual repentance of a Nun for having lost her virginity without Force or Love Nov. 2. f. 523. The End of the Table FINIS
Castle there lived a great Princesse and of a great Authority who entertained in her Company a young Lady called Camilla a Gentlewoman of a bold spirit by whom her Mistresse was so governed that she did nothing but by her Counsel esteeming her to be one of the wisest and the most virtuous Damosells that lived in that Age. This Camilla did so much inveigh against all fond love that if at any time she knew a Gentleman to be amorous of one of her Companions she would most sharply reprehend them and would be sure to make so bad a report of it unto her Mistresse that severely she would check them for it wherefore she was far more feared than beloved by her Companions and if at any time she did speak to any Man it would be so loud and with so great a confidence that she had the same to be a mortal Enemy to all love although it was altogether contrary to her heart for there was a Gentleman in the Service of her Mistresse with whom she was so much taken that it was impossible to be more But the love she did bear to her Glory and reputation did make her to dissemble her affection And having endured this passion a whole year refusing as others to comfort her self by discourse and looks her heart so violently was inflamed that she was inforced to seek out the last remedy and in the conclusion determined with her self that her only course was to satisfie her Desires and wherein none but God should know her heart without making any Man partaker of it who at one time or other would reveal it This resolution being taken looking one day down upon the Terrasse from the Window in her Mistresses Chamber she observed him to be walking there whom so passionately she loved and having observed him until the setting of the Sun had taken away the full sight of him she called to a little Page whom she had and shewing the Gentleman to him she said unto him Do you see yonder Gentleman in that rich Cloak and Crimson Satten Doublet goe to him and tell him that there is one of his friends who would speak a word with him within in the Garden Gallery and when the Boy was gone she passed by the wardrope belonging to her Mistresses Chamber and came into the Gallery having so muffled herself with her Scarses that she could not be discovered The Gentleman being come where she was she did goe immediately to shut the Doors of the Gallery that no man unexpectedly might enter in upon them and without taking off her Masques and her Scarses she imbraced him with all the strength she had and spake unto him as softly as possibly she could It is a long time my friend since the love which I have born unto you hath made me to seek out both the place and the occasion to enjoy your company but the fear of my Honour hath been so strong upon me that it hath constrained me to dissemble my passion But at last the force of love hath overcome all fear and in the knowledge which I have of your goodnesse if you will promise to love me and never to acquaint any one with it and not to enquire who I am I dare assure you for my part that I will be to you a loyal and a faithfull friend and that I will never love any one but your self but I had rather die than you should know who I am The Gentleman did promise what she demanded which made her the more ready to render him the like which was to refuse nothing which he did desire to take It was about five or six of the clock in the Winter so that it was impossible for him to perceive who she was but touching of her cloaths he did find they were of Velvet which in those times was not worn on every day but only by Ladies of the noblest Families and of great Authority And concerning that which was underneath he without light could make judgement good enough with his hand and he found nothing but what was plump lusty and in good liking If he on his part did his uttermost endeavour to give her the best entertainment he could she did no lesse on hers and the Gentleman perceived well enough that she was a married woman She incontinently would return from whence she came but the Gentleman said unto her I do most highly esteem this favour which without my merit you have conferred on me but I shall more esteem of that which at my request I shall receive of you I hold my self so honoured with this courtesie that I must beseech you to tel me if I ought not to hope to enjoy it again and in what time or place you will please to command me for since I must not know you I know not of my self how to procure it Take no care for that said the Lady but assure your self that every Evening before my Mistresses Supper is served in I will not fail to send for you but be you sure to be upon the Terrasse where you were this afternoon I will send you word only to remember what you promised by that word you may understand that I do attend you in the Gallery But if you hear talk of going immediatly to Supper you may for that Evening either retire home or come into the Chamber of my Mistresse But above all things I must desire you if you will have the continuance of my Love that you will not seek after my name nor endeavour to know who I am This assurance being made the Damosel and the Gentleman did return into their several places and did a long time continue this course of life and he could never perceive who it was whereupon he entred into a great perplexity of mind doubting much within himself what it should be for he was confident there was no Woman in the word who would not be seen and be beloved wherefore he suspected with himself that it was some evil Spirit and the rather because he had heard a foolish Preacher say That if we could but see the Devil in the face we should never be in love with him In this suspition he determined with himself to know who it was who came alwayes so muffled to him And on the next night in which they were to meet he carried with him a piece of chalk and in his imbraces of her he did give her a long mark with it on the shoulder behind which she perceived not and as soon as ever they departed one from the other the Gentleman immediately repaired into the Chamber of her Mistresse and stood so near unto the Door to observe behind the shoulders of all those Ladies who did enter into the Chamber And amongst others he beheld the young Lady Camilla to enter in with so severe a boldnesse that he was almost afraid to look on her as he did upon the others holding himself most assured that it could not be she but
who brought you to this place The poor Nun who did not know her did make answer Woe is me my friend my misfortune is so great that I have no recourse but unto God only whom I doe beseech to vouchsafe unto me the means that I may speak to Madam the Dutchesse of Alençon for to her alone will I declare my business being confident that if there be any redress for such a miserable Creature as my self she will grant it to me Friend said the Dutchess to her you may speak as confidently unto me as unto her I am one of her gratest friends Pardon me said the Nun none but her self only shall understand my secret Whereupon the Dutchesse said unto her that she might speak freely for she had found her whom she demanded The poor Nun did prostrate her self at her feet and having wept a long time she gave her the whole account of what already I have expressed unto you whereupon the Dutchesse did comfort her so well that exhorting her to repentance for her misdeed she took from her quite the resolution of going to Rome and sent her back to the Prioresse with a strict charge to entertain her and with Letters to the Bishop of that place to take order for the expulsion of that scandalous Monk who having abused the Body of the Nun did afterwards most petulantly upbraid her and caused her to depart the Covent I received this Acount from the Dutchesse her self by which Ladies you may understand that the Rule of Nomerfide is not proper to all sorts of Persons for these two both touching aed burying the dead were neverthelesse at the same time touched and overcome with infirmities This was an invention said Hircan which I believe was never practised before to speak of death and at the same instant to do the works of life It is not said Oysilla any work of life to sin for we all know well enough that sin produceth death You may believe said Sassredant that at that time neither the Monk nor the Nun had the least thought of that Divinity but as the Daughters of Lot having made their Father drunk did think by that means to preserve human Nature so this Monk and the Nun would repair that which death had destroyed by making of a new Body Therefore I cannot but reflect again upon the tears of tho Nun who always wept and always returned to the cause of her weeping I have seen too many of those said Hircan who at the same time bewailed their sins and yet kept their pleasures I do much doubt said Parlament by whom you do speak those words wherefore it seems to me that their laughter hath lasted long enough it would be now time that weeping should begin Hold your peace said Hircan The Tragedy is not yet finished which doth begin with laughter But to change the Subject of our discourse said Parlament it seems to me that Dagoucin hath wandred from our first determination which was that the Accounts of this day should be all pleasant and this hath been a sad one You made a motion said Dagoucin that we should not forget to give an Account of the greatest follies and in that I am sure I have not failed but to hear one that is more pleasant I do give my voice to Nomerfide hoping that she will mend my fault She made answer I have an Account ready for you and one which is worthy to follow yours for it speaks of Religious persons and of death also Give ear unto it if you please The End of the Accounts of the Novels of the late Queen of Navarr which are all that can be recovered of them A Table of the Summary of the Novells of the Queen of Navarre The first Journal AN Advocats Wife of Alençon had two Friends one of them for pleasure and the other for profit she caused that man of her two Lovers to be slain who first discovered her wanton life for which murder she begged pardon both for her self and for her sagitive Husband who afterwards to save a sum of money did repair to a Negromancer and their Enterprize was discovered and punished Novel 1. Fol. 1. The chast and lamentable Death of the Wife of one of the Mule-keepers of the Queen of Navarre Nov. 2. f. 11. A King of Naples abusing the Wife of a young Gentlewoman did at last wear the horn himself Nov. 3. f. 15. The rash Enterprise of a Gentleman to incounter with a Princess and the shame and disgrace which he received Nov. 4. f. 22. A Ferry-woman escaped from two Friers who would have forced her and did deport her self so wisely that their sinne was discovered to all the world Nov. 5. f. 30. The subtilty of a woman who shewed her friend a way to escape when her Husband who had but one eye thought to have surprized them Nov. 6. f. 34. A Merchant of Paris deceived the Mother of his Sweet-heart to conceal their fault Nov. 7. f. 37. A certain man having lain with his own Wife instead of his Chambermaid did send his Neighbour to her who made him a Cuckold without his Wives knowledge Nov. 8. f. 40. The sad death of a Gentleman in love having received comfort too late from her whom he loved Nov. 9. f. 47. The Loves of Amadour and Florinda in which are contained many subtilties and Inventions and the most commendable chastity of Florinda Nov. 10. f. 52. The Second Journal The petulant Discourses of a Frier in his Easter-Sermons at Amboise Nov. 1. f. 93. The Incontinence of a Duke and his Impudence to arrive at his Designs with his just punishment Nov. 2. f. 97. A Captain of the Galleys under the shaddow of Devotion did fall in love with a Lady and what insued thereon Nov. 3. f. 106. The subtilty of a Lover who under the pretence of the right Friend did reap from a Lady of Millan the fruits of what so long he had desired Nov. 4. f. 117. A Lady of the Court seeing her self disdained by her Husband who made love elsewhere did revenge her self by the like practice Nov. 5. f. 125. A Lady of Millan approved the Courage and the Resolution of her Friend whereupon she afterwards loved him with all her heart Nov. 6. f. 141. King Francis shewed his generous resolution to Count William who would have killed the King Nov. 7. f. 148. A fair young Lady made tryal of the fidelity of a young Scholar before she would admit him to intrench too farr upon her honour Nov. 8. f. 152. Two Lovers despairing to be marryed did enter themselves into two Religions houses the Man into a Covent of Saint Francis and the Female into the Nunnery of Saint Clare Nov. 9. f. 159. A Gentleman suddenly cured of the malady of Love finding his rigorous Lady in the arms of her Horseman Nov. 10. f. 169. The Third Journal The wonderful and honest love betwixt a Lady of honourable birth and a Bastard and the check which the